Star mare in tip-top form for Royal date

Sprint queen Joliestar will head to Royal Ascot at the top of her game after claiming another elite level title at Randwick.

Our magnificent mare was again too good for her short course rivals in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes, having previously won the G1 Canterbury Stakes and the G2 Expressway Stakes on the course to remain unbeaten this preparation.

We are now looking forward to the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes with Zoustar’s daughter.

“A lot of thought has gone into this and it’s all mapped out well,” Waller said. “She’s only run in the best races and been a model of consistency this preparation and she’s been dominant.”

“We know she goes best fresh and she’ll have a bit of down time now and we’ll work back from Ascot.”

Joliestar tucked in behind the pace and when rider James McDonald asked her the question in the straight, she again responded positively to put away her opposition.

“She’s flying and this has been the best prep of her life as her form line shows,” McDonald said.

“She can hop on the plane in career best form, she’s a wonderful sprinter. She’s a marvel.”

We purchased Joliestar for A$950,000 out of Segenhoe Stud’s draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and also bought her half-sister by Anamoe for A$470,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

They are out of the Fastnet Rock mare Jolie Bay, who won the G2 Roman Consul Stakes and finished runner-up in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, and is a sister to the multiple top-flight winner and sire Merchant Navy.

Joliestar has now taken her winning career tally into double figures with five at Group 1 level.

“What a mare she is and (wife) Jo and I are just so lucky to have her in the right stable with the right jockey, she’s a champion,” Sir Brendan Lindsay said. “Royal Ascot is the plan and we’re lucky enough to have a chance.”

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