SHOOT Out is set to trial at Doomben today as trainer John Wallace steps up preparations for a tilt at Australia's best races this spring.

Wallace has the "big three" as options for Shoot Out and couldn't be happier with how the son of High Chaparral has returned to training.

"He looks magnificent," Wallace said.

"He's filled out, he's grown and I'm rapt in him. He has definitely improved. He is a lot more settled and returned this time bigger and stronger."

Wallace has a set plan for Shoot Out's early races in Melbourne, but won't be forced into making an early decision on which of the big races he contests.

"He trials at Doomben on Tuesday and we will probably fly him to Melbourne the following Monday or Tuesday," Wallace said.

"He will resume in the Bletchingly on the 31st (July) at Caulfield. He will then run every two weeks and take the traditional weight-for-age path.

"I will nominate him for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the Cox Plate and I will make a call on which way to go when the time comes. You don't train him any different, so there's no pressure yet."

Shoot Out came of age during the autumn, winning the Randwick Guineas and AJC Derby at Group 1 level. He is the winner of $1.36 million, a wonderful return on his $15,000 purchase price.

He was one of three Group 1 winners for his sire during the season, joining Victoria Derby/Spring Champion Stakes winner Monaco Consul and the Cox Plate hero So You Think.

High Chaparral stands in Australia for the first time this year, having previously shuttled to New Zealand's Windsor Park Stud. Coolmore has set his fee at $88,000, a significant hike on the $22,000 he had stood for in New Zealand, but breeders are rushing to support him.

"He will cover a full book of mares and the feedback we are getting from breeders is that they think he is the new Zabeel," Coolmore's Colm Santry said.

Shoot Out's dam Pentamerous is among the early stars booked to High Chaparral this year, as is her Group 3 winning daughter Cassandra Shadow.