Chris Waller has rewritten the record books once more after Joliestar powered home in the dying strides to win the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm, securing the trainer’s 19th Group One win this season.

The result saw Waller eclipse his previous high of 18 Group 1 victories, a feat first achieved during the 2018-19 racing season, when legendary mare Winx was a driving force behind his success.

In the current term, Waller has found another standout mare in Via Sistina, who has been responsible for seven elite-level wins. However, it was Joliestar who stole the spotlight on Saturday.

Backed into $2.40 favourite with online bookmakers, the four-year-old was well back approaching the turn, with Zarastro and Golden Mile threatening to pinch the race. Jockey James McDonald admitted he wasn’t confident at that stage.

“There was not one stage where I thought she was going to win the race,” McDonald said.

“Then she put in this humungous dive with two strides to go and I thought, I’m a little chance here and I looked up and saw the camera man. She is a super mare.”

With six victories now from 15 outings, Joliestar’s record could have been even stronger with a touch more fortune, according to Waller. He confirmed discussions would soon take place about another tilt at the $20 million Everest.

“It was a mission that we missed out on last spring so we will have a chat about it,” Waller said.

“She is a lovely horse. She’s got a great record. She did it at three, she has won a Newmarket and had a lot of bad luck along the way.

“She is a pleasure to be training. The stable at the Gold Coast call her ‘the Queen’ so we will run with that. She is the Queen of Queensland today, anyway.”

Joliestar edged out Zarastro ($17) and Golden Mile ($26) in a tight finish, while Giga Kick ($3.80) struggled to make an impact from the rear, finishing sixth.

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