The $1million Group I ATC Champagne Stakes (1600m) was expected to be won by a Chris Waller trained colt and three of them went to the line together with Snitzel colts Fireball and Campione D’Italia filling the quinella ahead of the Godolphin entry Diameter.
Fireball and Campione D’Italia had both come through the Golden Slipper and then the Sires Produce Stakes, while Brazen Beau colt Diameter was the ‘Johnny come lately’ having won the Listed ATC Fernhill Mile last Saturday.
They all presented a treat in the yard and raced accordingly, although Campione D’Italia did get a little keen racing back in the field for James McDonald, while Fireball had a cosy run on the fence after jumping from gate one.
The good run in transit told at the finish for Fireball, who pulled out plenty under pressure for Tim Clark to take a neck win over Campione D’Italia with Diameter a close up and unlucky third having been held up for a run.
A $460,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Yarraman Park draft for James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership / Tony Fung Colts, Fireball has the overall record of three wins and a placing from six starts with prizemoney just topping $2million.
He has had a busy season winning on debut last November before taking out the $2million Inglis Millennium and was seventh in the Golden Slipper and then third in the Sires leading into today.
“Full credit to the horse because he's been able to deal with it. As I said to the owners before the race, he's coping so well. 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,” Waller said.
Tim Clark rode Fireball in the Sires and had the ride again.
“He got a great run today. It was funny, cantering to the gates, James (McDonald on Campione D’Italia) wanted something to follow so I led out, and the whole time going round he just had his ears pricked, waiting. 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,” he said.
“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.”
Fireball was bred by Michael O’Keeffe and foaled and raised at Yarraman Park. He is the second foal and first winner from Advance Party, a winning Charge Forward grand-daughter of Group II winner Countess Christie, the dam of stakes-winner I Have No Fear.
Advance Party has a yearling filly by Dundeel was sold in the Yarraman Park draft at Inglis Classic for $150,000 to O'Brien Thoroughbreds (Aust) Pty Ltd.
Advance Party produced a filly by Maurice (Jpn) last year and was then covered by In The Congo, so will produce a three-quarter sibling to Fireball this spring.
Fireball is the 28th Group I winner for much missed champion sire Snitzel, who is leading the Australian General Sires List by earnings. He is bred on the successful Snitzel x Charge Forward nick that has produced 17 winners from 22 starters (77% winners to runner) with four stakes-winners that also include Golden Slipper winner Estijaab with an 18% SW to runner strike rate.
Fireball was the third Snitzel stakes-winner at Randwick on Saturday joining Snitzel Dancer (read about her here) and Matias (read about him here).
