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Source: racenet.com.au
Exciting juvenile Fireball delivered on his Group 1 promise to lead home a Chris Waller-trained trifecta in Saturday’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
In a thrilling finale to the third leg of racing’s 2YO Triple Crown, a tough-as-teak Fireball ($6.50) outlasted favourite Campione D’italia ($2.15) and Diameter ($26) in the $1 million mile feature.
Remarkably, it was Waller’s second Group 1 trifecta of the Sydney autumn carnival, after Joliestar, Beiwacht and Lady Shenandoah swept the Canterbury Stakes last month.
In the aftermath of Fireball’s Champagne Stakes heroics, the champion trainer said the win was just reward for a two-year-old which has continued to turn up and produce his best start after start.
“It’s been a big preparation and full credit to the horse,” Waller said.
“As I said to the owners before the race, you wouldn’t know he’s so deep into the preparation looking at him. He’s been coping so well and running with so much merit and not a lot of luck.
“He deserved that win today.”
A $460,000 purchase by James Harron Bloodstock at last year’s Inglis Easter Sales, Fireball (Snitzel x Advance Party) solidified his stud prospects with his gritty Champagne success.
But he had to prove as gritty as he was talented late, pulling back the long neck margin stablemate Campione D’italia established on him over the concluding stages.
The Inglis Millennium hero from February has been a constant in this season’s Group 1 majors, having finished seventh in the Golden Slipper before running third in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes.
“He got here today by telling us with the way he’d been coping with his racing,” Waller said.
“In the Golden Slipper he was beaten at the 300m mark but he was still strong through the line and told us he’d get the 1400m (in the Sires’) where he didn’t have much luck.”
Saturday’s Champagne Stakes win was a second for Waller after Militarize annexed the race in 2023.
The resounding trifecta result was yet another reminder of his growing adeptness with juveniles.
Fireball was ridden to victory by Tim Clark with the Champagne success the combination’s first at the highest level.
“He’s my new favourite (jockey) – we’ll see how long that lasts,” Waller said with a grin.
Clark said he went into the Champagne confident of a bold showing after the iron horse’s performance in the Sires’ Produce.
“It just goes to show what barriers do – he got a great run today,” Clark beamed.
“I was thinking before the race I didn’t want to get there too soon but the way the race unfolded I had to present him when I did.
“Luckily the challengers came early enough that he was able to have the opportunity to fight back the way he did.
“He’s so tough, he’s been running in all the big races and it’s great to get a result for James (Harron) and Chris (Waller) and the team.”
While Campione D’italia went down narrowly in his bid for a second leg of the Triple Crown, he lost no admirers, with Waller suggesting the preparation will be the making of him.
The gifted colt over-raced on James McDonald in the middle stages but still managed to find the front out wide before being mowed down late.
“He’s a young lad still learning his trade and he’ll be all the better for the experience,” Waller said.
While less than half-a-length separated Waller’s Champagne trio, it was a further two lengths away to the remainder of the brigade.
The win took Waller to 197 Group 1 wins, just three shy of becoming just the third trainer to reach the magical 200 mark.