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Source: justhorseracing.com.au
Chris Waller declared Joliestar a more complete racehorse after she captured the TJ Smith Stakes(1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, securing the fifth Group 1 win of her career.
The tough mare was at her very best, holding off a determined challenge from Giga Kick to complete an unbeaten three-start Sydney autumn campaign, which also featured victories in the Expressway Stakes and the Canterbury Stakes.
“Joliestar just showed the difference between her this year compared to last year,” Waller said.
“Last year she could pull out a belter of a run but wide draws and luck in running could get her beaten, too.
“But she is a more complete racehorse now and is at the very peak of her form.”
Joliestar ($3.90 favourite) provided Waller and champion jockey James McDonald with back-to-back Group 1 wins, edging out Giga Kick ($4.60) by half a length, with Skybird ($41) a neck away in third.
The victory took Waller’s tally to 15 Group 1 winners for the 2025-26 season and pushed his stable earnings to a record $61.06 million, with several months still remaining in the campaign.
The Hall of Fame trainer now sits on 195 career Group 1 wins, closing in on the milestone 200 mark – a feat only achieved by legends Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings.
Joliestar also delivered Waller and McDonald their fourth win in the TJ Smith Stakes, following their memorable treble with Nature Strip between 2020 and 2022.
With Nature Strip having gone on to win at Royal Ascot, connections are now eyeing a similar international campaign for Joliestar.
“The dream of Royal Ascot is very exciting, and no doubt she’ll be a force to be reckoned with,” McDonald said.
“She has had her doubters before, but they have no leg to stand on now, she is a Grand Final winner.”
McDonald has now ridden 12 Australian Group 1 winners this season, in addition to three overseas majors aboard Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior.
Waller confirmed Joliestar is on track for a Royal Ascot tilt, with the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes(1200m) on June 20 the likely target.
“I think we will probably go for the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot,” Waller said.
“We had the trip planned well before today but we wanted to see her run well in the TJ to cement her place for England.”
Joliestar has now won 10 of her 21 starts, including five at Group 1 level, with prizemoney exceeding $8.8 million.
Waller is hopeful she will continue racing beyond this season.
“I would go to Royal Ascot and bring her back for The Everest – she has just started to mature as a racehorse,” he said.