Fireball stakes 2026 Golden Slipper claims with debut win

Chris Waller’s first juvenile winner each season often turns out to be above average, and the champion trainer believes debut victor Fireball fits that trend.

The Snitzel colt was impressive in Saturday’s Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill, surging clear to score and joining notable predecessors Brazen Beau and Omei Sword, who similarly kicked off Waller’s two-year-old season campaigns.

“If they do, it’s normally a pretty good one. They get there on their own without doing much work,” Waller said.

“He’s a lovely colt. (Syndicator) James Harron and his team buy nice horses so that’s the first box ticked. It makes my job easier.

“All of my staff have said he’s a very professional horse. We haven’t asked him to do anything at home, and they keep saying, ‘he will go the next step’.

“It’s always a good sign when they come out and do it pretty raw and not pushed. He’s had two soft trials, and he’s done a great job today.”

Fireball, bought for $460,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, is expected to head to the paddock before being aimed towards a Golden Slipper campaign.

Waller has historically been selective with early-season juveniles, and the ones who do race before Christmas often reappear as high-level contenders in the autumn.

Among them are Global Quest and Shaquero, both Breeders’ Plate winners, with Shaquero progressing to land the Magic Millions Classic early the next year.

Fireball ($8) scored with authority, beating Tigroni ($11) by a length, with Euripedes ($8) a further half-length away.

Jockey Tommy Berry felt confident after trialling him last start, though he noted the colt will improve with distance.

“He’s going to be lovely when he gets to 14(00 metres), maybe even a mile, so they’ve got options,” Berry said.

He is currently marked a $34 chance in Golden Slipper early markets.

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