Chris Waller import Surefire on Cups trail after an impressive win at Rosehill

Surefire powered over the top to win the Bankstown Sports Handicap at Rosehill Gardens. Picture: Mark Evans–Getty Images

Surefire won like a "sure thing" in a stunning return to racing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Chris Waller has lofty ambitions with Surefire and for good reason after the former English stayer sprinted brilliantly to win the Bankstown Sports Handicap (1400m).

The former English stayer who races in the colours made famous by all-time great Frankel had won over 2400m overseas but showed the acceleration that is the reserve of an elite racehorse for his first-up Rosehill win.

Indeed, Waller has such an opinion of Surefire's emerging potential that he is considering going straight to a Group 2 weight-for-age race over 1600m in three weeks.

Surefire is back with a bang! ????@mcacajamez is on the board. ???? pic.twitter.com/jfELTIgQVk

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 13, 2022

"I think maybe the Chelmsford Stakes will be next for him,'' Waller said.

"He's a pretty good horse.''

Surefire ($3.90), ridden by champion jockey James McDonald, finished powerfully to run down early leader Titanium Power ($2.60 favourite) and win by nearly a length with Oscar Zulu ($5) third.

It was Surefire's second win since joining the Waller stable. He also scored first-up over 2000m back in the autumn.

Waller made a point of noting the considerable improvement Surefire has made in the short time he has been in Australia.

"Surefire won a race at Royal Ascot over 2400m last year and we purchased him after that,'' Waller revealed.

Chris Waller was all smiles after Surefire won the Bankstown Sports Handicap at Rosehill. Picture: Mark Evans–Getty Images

"It's amazing because last time he trialled OK but didn't have the speed to run over 1400m or even a mile (1600m).

"So, we put him straight in at 2000m and he won first-up, but today shows how much they can adapt and change when they come here.

"He trialled really well a couple of weeks ago and we just felt he had improved so much since the autumn.''

Surefire's autumn campaign ended after he ran a close second in the Queen's Cup before finishing unplaced in the Group 1 Sydney Cup but it's clear he is set to be a major player in the spring carnival.

Waller has Surefire entered for the major Cups in Melbourne this spring and indicated the lightly-raced five-year-old gelding would be given his chance to contest both races.

TAB fixed odds price assessors have Surefire on the second line of betting at $15 for the $5m Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15.

Duais is early favourite at $11.

Surefire is also prominent in betting at $26 for the $8m Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1 behind $15 equal favourites Duais, Loft and Cleveland.