Two-time Everest winner trainer Chris Waller is confident the fresh approach taken with Joliestar gives the mare her best chance of success in Saturday’s $20 million race at Randwick.
Joliestar turned in a scintillating performance to win the Show County Quality at Randwick first-up this spring and the four-year-old hasn’t raced for five weeks by design leading into Saturday’s race, since finishing third behind fellow Everest contender Sunshine In Paris in the Sheraco Stakes.
“Joliestar is brilliant fresh,” Waller said.
“We’ve seen that in the autumn, she beat the best three-year-olds fresh-up (in the Arrowfield Sprint).
“She’s won fresh up before and this preparation she was brilliant fresh after her spell.
“So we’ve gone back to that theory with the five weeks between runs and Brendan and Jo Lindsay from Cambridge Stud in New Zealand have been very supportive of allowing us to do this, accepting the slot in The Everest.
“We thought going into the race fresh would give her the best chance.”
Another key aspect which raises Waller’s hopes of a third Everest success, having won with Yes Yes Yes in 2019 and Nature Strip in 2021, is the barrier draw for Joliestar.
Joliestar, to be ridden by James Mcdonald, has barrier four in the field of 12 which Waller believes can give the mare the opportunity to travel in a nice rhythm, wherever she’s comfortable, in the run.
“Having her comfortable in the first half of the race will ensure that she’s ready to launch over the concluding stages,” Waller said.
McDonald, who sits on 99 career Group 1 wins heading into Everest day, agrees with Waller’s assessment and is happy with the draw in what he believes is “a very even race”.
“If we get a nice run in the race she’s pretty explosive, my mare,” McDonald said.
“And she’s trained up beautifully. I wouldn’t swap her for anything, put it that way, and I just need a bit of luck.”
Joliestar is challenging for favouritism with I Wish I Win, who is back for another crack at the race having finished second to Think About It last year.
Waller acknowledges Joliestar will be ‘racing against the best’ for the first time in The Everest and has got to take that step up.
To date, no filly or mare has managed to win The Everest in its first seven editions but Joliestar is part of a strong representation of five mares lining up this year along with Golden Slipper-winning filly Lady Of Camelot in the 12-horse field.
“Well, she’s very good,” Waller said, when asked why he thinks Joliestar could become the first mare to win an Everest.
“She’s a very talented horse. She’s still lightly raced. She’s still improving and hopefully we haven’t found the ceiling with her yet. Maybe we’ll see a glimpse of that on Saturday.
“But she’s certainly good enough to win an Everest.”
