Chris Waller claimed a stable trifecta in the opening Group 1 on All Aged Stakes Day with Fireball upsetting the beaten favourite Campione D’italia in the Champagne Stakes 2026 results.

The penultimate elite level race of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, this year’s Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) saw Waller’s Inglis Millennium winning Snitzel colt, Fireball ($6.50), claim an upset win turning the tables on his stablemate after a lead-up third in the Inglis Sires’.

While it was the team’s Sires’ champ Campione D’italia ($2.15F) tipped to win today’s mile feature race for two-year-olds, ultimately the top prize went the way of the progressive Fireball who relished the rise in trip and presented rock-hard fit having been up since February 7.

“Full credit to the horse because he’s been able to deal with it,” Waller told the media speaking of Fireball’s lengthy campaign.

“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 a wide alley (12 of 13) saw him finish 1.5 lengths third in the Inglis Sires’ over 1400m at his latest, a better barrier two draw today saw him and jockey Tim Clark get the upper hand and take out the all-important juvenile Group 1 success and Clark’s first for the stable.

“He’s got there by telling us that he’s coping well with his racing,” Waller said.

“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 that showed me that 1400m, and then last start he didn’t have much luck.

“He was great.”

Clark timed his run on the eventual Champagne Stakes winner to perfection, winding Fireball up at the top of the straight before hitting the lead 300m out from the line.

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

“It was funny, cantering to the gates, James (McDonald on the favourite) 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.

“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.”

Sticking with the task well, the Fireball briefly lost his front-running position to the better fancied Campione D’italia who got his head in the lead inside the final furlong.

In thrilling finish, Fireball showed plenty of guts, fighting back, driving through and reclaiming top spot to deny his stable companion the Group 1 double with a quarter-length victory.

“He is an outstanding colt,” 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.”

Granting Waller the trifecta in third was Brazen Beau colt Diameter on the quick back-up at 25/1 after his Listed Fernhill Handicap win at the track and trip last weekend.

“A huge run. Might have peaked late. The mile again on the back up,” jockey Adam Hyeronimus said of Diameter.

A potential trip to Brisbane could now be on the cards for both Campione D’italia and Fireball who sit one-two in futures betting at Ladbrokes for the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.

“Both by Snitzel, he’s an amazing stallion,” Waller said of his two Group 1 winning colts.

“These boys will get their chance now that Dad’s passed away, sadly.”

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