Hall of Fame horseman Chris Waller wrapped up an unmatched Sydney Saturday Group 1 haul as Fireball prevailed over barnmate Campione D’Italia in the $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The event concluded eight straight Sydney Saturdays of Group 1 competition in the autumn carnival, where Waller delivered a Group 1 result every time.
This peerless run of top-class form is unparalleled in Australian racing, prompting a briefly emotional response from Waller when Racing And Sports highlighted it.
“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 ruled Sydney Group 1 racing this autumn with 11 conquests. His phenomenal big-race streak involved:
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
He also registered near-misses with Group 1 seconds 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).
Stable pilot James McDonald rode Waller’s prior 10 Group 1 autumn winners but partnered Champagne Stakes elect Campione D’Italia without extending the run.
$6.50 shot Fireball, with Tim Clark up, stuck on by half a neck to deny $2.15 favourite Campione D’Italia, Diameter ($26) a long head back in third.
This was Clark’s 27th Group 1 career hit riding Fireball – his maiden 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.”
Last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale saw Harron secure Snitzel colt Fireball for $460,000; he is now the sire’s 28th distinct Group 1 winner.
Fireball’s Champagne Stakes score boosts his breeding value to excess of $20 million.
Waller commended Fireball for thriving amid a prolonged campaign and securing the Group 1.
“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 fought valiantly in second, having annexed the ATC Sires Produce Stakes a fortnight ago as a Snitzel Group 1 victor.
“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 reckoned Campione D’Italia was unlucky not to snag the Champagne Stakes.
“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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