Chris Waller declared Joliestar was finally the complete package after the mare enhanced her already dynamic first-up record to win the Expressway Stakes at Randwick.
When former stablemate Caballus ($4.60) skipped to a commanding lead halfway up the straight, Waller admitted he was unsure if Joliestar ($2.60 fav) could bridge the gap.
But the mare pinned back her ears and knuckled down to the task, reeling in the Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter and clearing out on the line to score by 1-1/4 lengths with the winner’s stablemate, Lady Shenandoah ($6), another head away third.
“She is a true horse now. Last year we were saying we needed her to settle and relax and do the little things right, and she does that now,” Waller said.
“James (McDonald) put her into a beautiful position and tactically, that was great because it was a sprint home.
“Tommy (Berry on Caballus) just about pinched the race. James didn’t go around them, he just stuck to the basics and rode her like a jockey should.”
Joliestar will be kept on fresh legs through the autumn with the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 7 her next target ahead of the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April.
Beyond that, a trip to Royal Ascot beckons.
“She is a foolproof horse. She runs well fresh and hopefully that will be her autumn – Canterbury Stakes, T J, and we might get on a plane after that,” Waller said.
The trainer was thrilled with the return of Lady Shenandoah, who was doing her best work late, while Angel Capital ($2.90) had to pass a vet examination behind the starting stalls after becoming fractious in the gates.
He finished fourth, beaten 3-1/2 lengths, after racing ungenerously in the early stages then making late headway.
Waller wasn’t perturbed by the performance and said the entire needed a fast-run race to show his best.
“Angel Capital was just a little bit fresh and there wasn’t enough speed and intensity for him,” he said.
“We will stick to our plan to go to the Newmarket Handicap.
“They went slow. I don’t think he was too bad.”
