Joliestar has stamped her claims to a coveted Everest slot with a breathtaking return in the Show County Quality, winning with such ease that jockey James Mcdonald had time to give her a pat before the finishing line.
While Chris Waller was playing down the Everest hype after the performance, bookmakers were quick to react, winding her in from $21 to $8 second favouritism.
However, Waller did admit Joliestar’s victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Randwick feature was “special” and predicted the mare would be a spring force, whether she headed towards the $20 million The Everest (1200m) or not.
“She is very good isn’t she? She is well named, she’s a star,” Waller said.
“She was dominant in the Arrowfield (3YO Stakes) in the autumn, the owners looked after her so well and were patient and are reaping the rewards now.
“It does help with looking towards (Everest) slot interest, but most importantly, we will see how she comes through it.
“Wherever she goes, she’s going to be a star.”
McDonald allowed Joliestar ($2.60 betting aus fav) to find her feet early and when he asked for an effort in the straight, she let down with a devastating sprint that made her rivals look second grade.
Our Kobison ($3.80) was game in what was his first stakes test, finishing three lengths away in second, a long head in front of Phearson ($51).
But they were no match for Joliestar, who idled down on the line.
“She travelled comfortably, didn’t over-race, she was perfect,” Waller said.
“The last 200-metres was special. At the 300, I was saying, ‘Ok, you’ve travelled up and now it’s time to let go’ and she did.”
McDonald was also keeping a lid on expectations after Joliestar’s Show County Stakes (1200m) performance, saying “we won’t go off too early”, but he was clearly impressed.
“She’s been working like a really, really good horse at home, and it’s been hard work containing her,” McDonald said.
“But they’ve done a really good job. It’s been really nice to let the shackles off, so to speak and let her rip.”
Waller will let the dust settle before locking in Joliestar’s next start but the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 14 is shaping as the most likely option.
