Renowned trainer Chris Waller at last captured the sole Sydney Group 1 event that had escaped him, while top jockey James McDonald kept up his dominant display with a fifth stakes triumph at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

This marked Waller’s 188th Group 1 victory overall, but astonishingly his initial triumph in the Canterbury Stakes.

Adding to the achievement, Waller supplied the Canterbury Stakes exacta and third with Joliestar overhauling Beiwacht, while Lady Shenandoah was unfortunate in third position.

“There’s still a few Group 1 races we haven’t won but it is good to get the set in Sydney,” Waller said.

“I feel the 1300m is just about the perfect trip for Joliestar, in 1200m races she needs speed and for them to really roll along but 1300m is her sweet spot.

“She has never been going better and we will aim her at the TJ Smith Stakes next and then all going well we will take her to Royal Ascot.

“Beiwacht was very good and Lady Shenandoah didn’t have much luck. They ran really well but I’m not sure where they will go next.”

The $2.25 market leader Joliestar enjoyed ideal cover courtesy of McDonald before striking late against a game Beiwacht at $9 to prevail by half a length, with Lady Shenandoah at $4.20 taking third just beyond a length back after racing wide from the outer gate.

McDonald was in outstanding touch, securing his fifth victory at the fixture aboard Joliestar in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes following prior wins on Generosity in the Challenge Stakes, Pinito in the Aspiration Quality, Beadman in the Fireball Stakes and Chayan in the Reisling Stakes.

Joliestar delivered McDonald his 127th Group 1 success, which included 52 for Waller.

“I’m lucky to be riding some great horses and working with a fantastic trainer in Chris (Waller),” McDonald said.

“It’s just a lovely working relationship, the horses are performing. They are always turned out immaculate, they are here to win and as long as we get a little bit of luck throughout the race they do the job.

“Chris is a champion and I’m just hanging onto the coat tails really.”

Joliestar notched her fourth Group 1 victory, boosting her prizemoney past $7.1 million.

She has qualified for a journey to England targeting the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 1200m during the renowned Royal Ascot meeting in June.

McDonald believed the moment was ideal for the improving six-year-old Joliestar to venture abroad.

“She is in the best form of her career because she is so tractable now,” McDonald said.

“When I peeled out I thought ‘it’s her time to shine’, she’s had everything go her way.

“She was running down a really good colt and she’s a top horse herself, so take nothing away from the second horse, Beiwacht, he was really great.”

Waller commended McDonald’s flawless timing in delivering Joliestar’s winning surge.

“It was a beautiful ride. She had a nice draw, so everything set up well,” Waller said.

“She’s just come back really well, she’s a more mature horse. She knows her job and just does it well.”

Waller revealed preparations for Joliestar’s Royal Ascot effort are underway, aiming to emulate Nature Strip’s feats there four years prior.

“We know the date she’s leaving and everything like that so that’s how far we’ve gone into the program,” he said.

“Every race you’ve got to come back safe and do the little things right and keep her good form. But one more run, that’s the TJ Smith Stakes back to 1200m and then on the plane.

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