After annexing the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick last Saturday, Chris Waller labelled Joliestar a comprehensively honed racehorse, her fifth top-level victory secured.
The gritty mare excelled, repelling Giga Kick’s resolute pursuit to conclude her Sydney autumn unbeaten across three starts, with earlier claims on the Expressway Stakes and Canterbury Stakes.
“Joliestar just showed the difference between her this year compared to last year,” Waller said.
“Last year she could pull out a belter of a run but wide draws and luck in running could get her beaten, too.
“But she is a more complete racehorse now and is at the very peak of her form.”
Joliestar, sent out at $3.90, delivered Waller and ace jockey James McDonald successive Group 1 hits, scoring by a half-length from Giga Kick ($4.60), Skybird ($41) neck third.
The feat pushed Waller to 15 Group 1s in 2025-26 and stable funds to record $61.06 million, months from season’s end.
On 195 career Group 1s, Waller nears 200 – territory of only Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings.
It was Waller and McDonald’s fourth in the TJ Smith Stakes, after Nature Strip’s 2020-2022 treble.
With Nature Strip’s Royal Ascot precedent, Joliestar eyes similar travels.
“The dream of Royal Ascot is very exciting, and no doubt she’ll be a force to be reckoned with,” McDonald said.
“She has had her doubters before, but they have no leg to stand on now, she is a Grand Final winner.”
McDonald counts 12 local Group 1 rides this year, three global on Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior.
Waller set Joliestar for Royal Ascot’s Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes (1200m), June 20.
“I think we will probably go for the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot,” Waller said.
“We had the trip planned well before today but we wanted to see her run well in the TJ to cement her place for England.”
Ten wins from 21, five Group 1s, $8.8 million-plus for Joliestar.
Waller plans longevity.
“I would go to Royal Ascot and bring her back for The Everest – she has just started to mature as a racehorse,” he said.
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