A margin of under a length divided the stable companions Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah during their encounter in The Everest, and with their upcoming clash in the Expressway Stakes, trainer Chris Waller finds it tough to rank them.

“Joliestar has come back really well. James (McDonald) has been on her in a few pieces of work and her trials and been very happy,” Waller said.

“I don’t know where the ceiling is with Angel Capital, but he is very, very good. That’s what we will find out about him.”

Regarding Lady Shenandoah, Waller concedes she could be overlooked following an inconsistent spring campaign.

“Through bad luck, I guess she is. She had no luck (last campaign),” he said.

Both Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah have demonstrated top-class ability, whereas Angel Capital continues to push towards Group 1 success.

Unfortunate in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), he collided with a flying Jimmysstar when placing second in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) to conclude his autumn efforts.

That said, Waller insists the four-year-old’s peak performance is yet to come, viewing him as a future Group 1 victor.

“It’s as simple as that,” he said.

“He seems equally effective left-handed or right-handed. He will be ready to go fresh. He’s a big strong horse, a proper horse.”

Waller hesitates to have the trio sprint against each other immediately after, leaving plans flexible for the group, though he favours sending Angel Capital for a Newmarket Handicap (1200m) attempt, while last year’s winner Joliestar looks set to stay in Sydney targeting the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Early betting favoured Joliestar at $2.60 in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) scheduled for Thursday, with Lady Shenandoah next at $3.40 and Angel Capital at $4. Check out the Australian betting sites for the top odds on this key Expressway Stakes showdown.

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