Champion jockey James McDonald has committed to ride Joliestar in the $20 million Everest.
The decision—long debated within Chris Waller’s powerful team—came down to a choice between Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah. Damian Lane will partner Lady Shenandoah, with Ben Melham booked for stablemate Angel Capital.
McDonald teamed with Joliestar in last year’s Everest, the mare flashing late for seventh, just 1-1/2 lengths off Bella Nipotina.
Since then, Joliestar has added the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, cementing her place among Australia’s premier sprinters.
The pair reunited last month to capture the Group 2 The Shorts, underlining her readiness for a second crack at the Everest.
McDonald will look to reprise his 2021 triumph on Nature Strip as Waller targets a third Everest victory.
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