The Chris Waller stable produced a promising debut 2YO winner at Rosehill on Saturday in the James Harron Bloodstock colours.
A $460,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Yarraman Park draft for James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership / Tony Fung Colts, Fireball had two quiet trials leading into his debut over 1100m.
Tommy Berry rode him in the second of those and he was on him today. He allowed the colt to travel behind the speed and angled him into the clear three wide turning for home so he had plenty of time to let down.
He was strong to the line winning by a length over the filly Tigroni, who had a tough run and was very brave nearly giving her first season sire Tiger of Malay a winner.
“He's a lovely colt. James Harron buys some very nice horses, so that’s the first box ticked and it makes my job easier,” said Chris Waller.
“All of my staff have said he’s a very professional horse and we haven’t really asked him for anything at home. They keep saying, 'Yeah... you can go the next step, you can go the next step.'
“So it's always a good sign when they come out and do it pretty raw and un-pushed. He's had two soft trials and he's done a great job today.”
Given Fireball is not Magic Millions eligible, he is likely to have a short break with a view to autumn racing and Tommy Berry is optimistic about his potential.
“He's a ready-made 2YO,” Berry said.
“Very quiet, very easy to do anything with, and he's here to please you, so I was a bit worried when I saw him up on his toe in the mounting yard, and even going to the gates, he was calling out a little bit, which is unlike him, but as soon as we got behind the gates and in the barriers, he switched onto his normal self.
“I said to James (Harron) and Chris (Waller) that the only thing I'll be getting beaten by is the 1100.
“He hits a little bit of that flat spot when he first comes off the bridle, hence why I made the decision before the corner to pop him out and not be the one looking for a run at some point.
“He was strong late and he's going to be lovely when he gets to 1400m and maybe even a mile, so they will have plenty of options.”
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 that will be offered in the Yarraman Park draft at Inglis Classic as Lot 614.
Advance Party has foaled this spring producing a filly by Maurice (Jpn).
