The Shootout is annually one of the most interesting races on the calendar due to it’s four-dog format and tonight is a very even edition of it – if they all turn up with their best.

With the new qualification format of needing to set one of the fastest times at Sandown Park, we’ve got a pretty clear picture of what the finalists are capable of. Outside of Barefoot Zulu‘s recent form, the others aren’t exactly replicating it every week.

But when we compare their qualifying runs, the best of the challengers’ is going to take it right up to Barefoot Zulu, particularly in the first part of the race.

Thanks to Race Data, here’s how their qualifying performances compare.

*Due to Colac Kid’s Cranbourne Cup heat data being unavailable, his data from the Cranbourne Cup final has been used where he ran two lengths shy of his heat time of 29.04

As much as we all probably agree that Barefoot Zulu is the fastest overall, based on these performances he could have a real issue on his hands in the first 100m of the race. What he lacks compared to them early he makes up for late, but settling behind fast dogs is never optimal.

It’s Canya Tornado who lit up the best early to mid-race sections in his qualifying run. He’s capable for sure, but the question everyone is asking is which Canya Tornado will we see? His best is freakish but his best efforts aren’t seen every start. Having not raced since October 22 at The Meadows, Paul Abela has had the benefit of time to psychologically prepare Canya Tornado the best he can.

As stated above, Canya Tornado‘s acceleration can be elite while Barefoot Zulu hits top gear late in the race. Canya Ponga carries a more sustained profile similar to Colac Kid – who is marked harshly in this exercise due to the data of his qualifying run not being available.

Barefoot Zulu is the logical option when it comes to a tip. But as seen above, there could be a real opportunity for the others to take it up to him early. If they don’t, he should be winning the race.

The Shootout is Race 9 on tonight’s stellar card at Sandown Park.

It also features the Group 2 Laurels where winning machine Zipper On Time will start the favourite. The rest of the card is made up of strong Sportsbet Melbourne Cup Preludes.

It’s the perfect entrée ahead of the second night of Dream Chasers next Saturday – Sportsbet Melbourne Cup heats – which will again be live on Racing.com.