Renowned Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller accomplished a remarkable Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep after Fireball overcame stablemate Campione D’Italia in the $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
It marked the eighth consecutive (and concluding) Saturday featuring Group 1 action in Sydney during the autumn carnival, with Waller securing no fewer than one Group 1 victory each week.
This ongoing display of superiority stands unmatched in Australian racing annals, leaving Waller somewhat moved upon learning of his standout achievement from Racing And Sports.
“These are the results our team works hard for all year,” Waller said.
“We have had some tremendous results this autumn carnival and I can’t thank my team enough.
“To be able to win at least one Group 1 race each Saturday for eight weeks of the carnival makes me very proud.”
Throughout the Sydney autumn Group 1 scene, Waller has claimed 11 key races. The impressive run of high-level triumphs encompassed:
February 28 – Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes: Autumn Glow
March 7- Group 1 Canterbury Stakes: Joliestar
March 14 – Group 1 Coolmore Classic: Lazzura
March 21 – Group 1 George Ryder Stakes: Autumn Glow, Group 1 Ranvet Stakes: Aeliana, Group 1 Rosehill Guineas: Autumn Roy
March 28 – Group 1 Tancred Stakes: Aeliana
April 4 – Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes: Joliestar, Group 1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes: Campione D’Italia
April 11 – Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks: Ohope Win
April 18 – Group 1 Champagne Stakes: Fireball
Waller came close in several other Group 1 events, achieving runner-up finishes in the Randwick Guineas (Autumn Boy), Doncaster Mile (Autumn Boy, stablemate Militarize third), Sydney Cup (Soul Of Spain), Queen of the Turf Stakes (Lady Shenandoah) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Lindermann, stablemate Autumn Glow third).
Waller’s stable rider James McDonald had partnered all of the trainer’s initial 10 Group 1 successes this autumn, though he rode the favourite Campione D’Italia in the Champagne Stakes and fell just short of prolonging his elite winning streak.
Ridden by Tim Clark, Fireball at $6.50 fended off the $2.15 favourite Campione D’Italia by a half neck, with Diameter at $26 finishing a long head further back in third.
The success marked Clark’s 27th Group 1 career victory aboard Fireball, marking his debut elite win for Waller.
“He got a great run today.,” Clark said. “I was thinking before the race, I don’t want to get there too soon, but just how the race unfolded, I had to present him when I did.
“The challenge came early enough that he had the opportunity to fight back and that he did. He’s obviously so tough and he’s been running in all the big races. I’m thrilled to get a good result for Chris and James Harron and all of his connections.”
Snitzel-sired Fireball became the 28th individual Group 1 victor from the champion sire, after James Harron acquired him for $460,000 at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Following the Champagne Stakes conquest, Fireball emerges as a stallion prospect valued at more than $20 million commercially.
Waller noted that Fireball has managed an extended campaign effectively and merited his Group 1 breakthrough.
“Full credit to the horse because he’s been able to deal with it,” Waller said.
“You wouldn’t know he’s deep into a ‘prep’, each run has had so much merit and not a lot of luck, so he deserved that today.
“He’s got there by telling us that he’s coping well with his racing. Distance-wise, I’ve never really been too concerned.
“I thought in the Golden Slipper, he was beaten at the 300m, but he was still strong through the line, then last start at 1400m, he didn’t have much luck. But today he was great.”
Campione D’Italia showed grit despite the loss, having captured the ATC Sires Produce Stakes a fortnight earlier, positioning him as another prized Group 1-winning Snitzel colt.
“A fantastic result as both colts are by Snitzel, he’s an amazing stallion,” Waller said.
“Campione D’Italia’s a young ‘lad’, he’s still learning his trade and he’ll be much better next season.”
McDonald believed Campione D’Italia might have prevailed with clearer passage during the contest.
“He is an outstanding colt but is still a work in progress,” McDonald said.
“He has come a long way to win the Sires which was tremendous and he went down fighting today.
“With even luck through the midstages, he probably would have won the race.”
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