Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller with a minimum of one elite win per week.
Such prolonged brilliance has no precedent in Australian racing lore, and Waller grew a touch sentimental when Racing And Sports shared news of his phenomenal feat.
"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.''
Waller's command of Sydney's autumn Group 1s yielded 11 victories. His string of major race dominance featured:
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
Additionally, Waller recorded several Group 1 placings, including seconds in the Randwick Guineas (Autumn Boy), Doncaster Mile (Autumn Boy, with stablemate Militarize in third), Sydney Cup (Soul Of Spain), Queen of the Turf Stakes (Lady Shenandoah) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Lindermann, stablemate Autumn Glow third).
Each of Waller's first 10 autumn Group 1 triumphs had come with jockey James McDonald aboard, but in the Champagne Stakes he partnered favourite Campione D'Italia and narrowly failed to continue his hot streak in majors.
Tim Clark guided $6.50 chance Fireball to a half-neck victory over $2.15 market leader Campione D'Italia, as $26 outsider Diameter trailed a long head behind in third place.
Clark notched his 27th Group 1 success overall with Fireball, his initial one partnering 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."
Purchased by James Harron for $460,000 during last year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Fireball is the 28th Group 1 winner by elite sire Snitzel.
His Champagne Stakes victory elevates Fireball's commercial stallion value to beyond $20 million.
According to Waller, Fireball has handled a lengthy preparation admirably and earned his Group 1 prize.
"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."
In defeat, Campione D'Italia ran gamely after his ATC Sires Produce Stakes win two weeks prior, confirming his status as a top Snitzel Group 1 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 opined that Campione D'Italia could have taken the prize with smoother travelling.
"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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