The Chris Waller juggernaut secured a dominant stable trifecta in the opening Group 1 of All Aged Stakes Day, but it was the longer priced Fireball who stole the spotlight, upsetting the heavily backed favourite Campione D’italia in a thrilling 2026 Champagne Stakes.

2026 Champagne Stakes winner Fireball turned the tables on his Inglis Sires winning stablemate when relishing the step up to a mile. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The penultimate elite-level contest of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m), provided a tactical masterclass.

Fireball ($6.50), a Snitzel colt already famous for his Inglis Millennium victory, successfully turned the tables on his better-fancied stablemate after finishing third behind him in the Inglis Sires’ just a fortnight ago.

While the market expected Sires’ champion Campione D’italia ($2.15F) to sweep the juvenile double, it was the battle-hardened Fireball who reigned supreme.

Despite being in work since early February, the colt showed no signs of fatigue as he relished the step up to the Randwick mile.

“Full credit to the horse because he’s been able to deal with it,” Waller said of Fireball’s marathon preparation.

“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.”

After being hampered by a wide draw in the Sires’, Fireball utilised barrier two to perfection under Tim Clark.

The win marked Clark’s first Group 1 victory for the powerhouse Waller stable.

“He’s got there by telling us that he’s coping well with his racing,” Waller added of the Champagne Stakes winner.

“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… He was great.”

Clark produced a flawlessly timed move, launching his challenge at the top of the straight and hitting the front with 300m to sail.

“He got a great run today,” Clark said.

“It was funny, cantering to the gates, James (McDonald on the favourite) wanted something to follow so I led out… 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.”

The finish was a heart-stopper.

Campione D’italia surged past Fireball inside the final furlong, momentarily looking the winner, but Fireball refused to concede.

The fellow Snitzel colt fought back with incredible tenacity to reclaim the lead, securing a quarter-length victory.

“He is an outstanding colt,” James McDonald said of the runner-up.

“He is still a work in progress.

“He has come a long way to win the Sires’ which was tremendous.

“He just went down fighting today.

“With even luck through the midstages, he probably would have won the race.”

Waller’s dominance was complete as Diameter ($26), coming off a Fernhill Handicap win the Saturday prior, stayed on for third to hand the trainer the trifecta.

“A huge run. Might have peaked late,” jockey Adam Hyeronimus noted.

Both Fireball and Campione D’italia are now at the top of the markets at Ladbrokes for the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) in Brisbane on June 13.

“Both by Snitzel, he’s an amazing stallion,” Waller said. “These boys will get their chance now that Dad’s passed away, sadly.”

2026 Champagne Stakes Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

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