Chris Waller’s early-season two-year-old winners often develop into quality performers, and he believes Snitzel colt Fireball is poised to follow the same path.
The youngster produced a brilliant debut performance to take out Saturday’s Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill, emulating former Waller stars Brazen Beau and Omei Sword, both of whom kickstarted his juvenile tally in seasons past.
“If they do, it’s normally a pretty good one. They get there on their own without doing much work,” Waller said.
“He’s a lovely colt. (Syndicator) James Harron and his team buy nice horses so that’s the first box ticked. It makes my job easier.
“All of my staff have said he’s a very professional horse. We haven’t asked him to do anything at home, and they keep saying, ‘he will go the next step’.
“It’s always a good sign when they come out and do it pretty raw and not pushed. He’s had two soft trials, and he’s done a great job today.”
Purchased for $460,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Fireball is expected to head for a spell before being set for a Golden Slipper tilt in the autumn.
Waller traditionally takes his time with juveniles, rarely pushing them before Christmas, and those who do emerge early typically return as major players later in the season.
Global Quest (2019) and Shaquero (2020) both delivered spring victories in the Breeders’ Plate, with the former placing behind Farnan in the Silver Slipper, while Shaquero returned to land the Magic Millions Classic.
Fireball ($8) proved too strong, finishing a length ahead of Tigroni ($11), who was gallant after covering ground, while Euripedes ($8) finished another half-length back in third.
Jockey Tommy Berry, who partnered the colt in his most recent trial, said he had only one minor query heading into raceday.
“He’s going to be lovely when he gets to 14(00 metres), maybe even a mile, so they’ve got options,” Berry said.
Early markets have Fireball marked as a $34 chance for the Golden Slipper.
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