Chris Waller stated that Joliestar has become the full package following the mare’s bolstering of her strong fresh record by taking out the Expressway Stakes at Randwick.
As ex-stablemate Caballus ($4.60) surged to a strong advantage midway along the straight, Waller confessed he doubted whether Joliestar ($2.60 fav) could close the distance.
However, the mare flattened her ears and dug deep, hauling in the Bjorn Baker-prepared speedster and powering clear at the finish to prevail by 1-1/4 lengths, while stablemate Lady Shenandoah ($6) was a head further back in 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.”
The mare is set to stay fresh over autumn, eyeing the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 7 before the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April.
After those, a journey to Royal Ascot awaits.
“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.
Waller expressed delight at Lady Shenandoah’s comeback, as she closed strongly late, whereas Angel Capital ($2.90) required a vet check post-start after playing up in the barriers.
He ended up fourth, defeated by 3-1/2 lengths, having raced keenly early before gaining ground late.
The trainer remained unconcerned by the effort, noting the entire thrives in races with genuine tempo.
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“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.”
The post Joliestar impresses with dominant Expressway Stakes comeback win first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
