After seconds in the Reginald Allen Quality at Randwick and Desirable Stakes at Flemington, it was the time to shine for the Zoustar filly Joliestar in Saturday’s $1,500,000 Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by James McDonald for Chris Waller, Joliesta handed another heartbreaking defeat of the top-class Brave Smash (JPN) filly Kimochi by one and a half lengths with a length back to the Exosphere filly Skybird who lost her unbeaten record at starts four.
A $950,000 purchase for Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay from the Segenhoe Thoroughbreds draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Joliestar advances her record to two wins and three seconds from five starts with earnings of $1,022,725.
It was back-to-back wins in the classic for Waller and McDonald after Madame Pommery.
“For a three-year-old filly it’s a pretty long-range plan,” Waller said.
“She’s still only starting her career, but we did identify that she had ability right from the start.
“Cambridge Stud, Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Henry Plumptre, really liked her at the sales. We couldn’t afford her and I got her to train, but it’s been justified in their investments. They’re a great nursery in New Zealand and they spread their wings in Australia each Carnival.
“So to train one for them with James McDonald aboard is pretty cool.
“The progression of good horses is a lot easiest than average horses, it’s a simple as that. She’s done it herself. I’ve found the races, she’s turned up. Steven Arnold does a lot of work for us and came and rode her on Tuesday morning and said she got around here well and said she was on the way up. He said she gave him the right feel.
“So thanks to Steven and Jo and the team down here, they do a fantastic job.
“She had a great barrier and James did the rest.”
James McDonald did not miss the fact that it was a big celebration for the Kiwis.
“We’ve got Brendan here today to collect the trophy,” McDonald said.
“He told me a funny story before he got legged on. He said I’ve booked two tickets. I said what, to tackle me home, he said no, for the trophy.
“He must have known. I had such a really good feeling about her that she was building towards something. Her run was fantastic last start with a really good gate and being to get a really good trip in transit, she was always going to produce.
“It was pivotal today, especially on the circle track has been playing a little bit up and in that a few of the leaders have had, so we were grinning ear to ear walking out.
“She’s had a feeling about her that her whole preparation that she has kept improving and improving but she hasn’t been winning.
“She hasn’t had a lot of luck so I thought today from barrier one she was going to get every chance.
“I wish the Melbourne Cup was that easy.”
Bred by Chris Barham, Joliestar is a half-sister to stakes-placed God Of Thunder (More Than Ready) and Emperor (I Am Invincible). She is the fifth winner from as many to race for the top-class Fastnet Rock mare Jolie Bay.
The Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes winner and runner-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, Jolie Bay, is a sister to dual Group 1 winner Merchant Navy, Listed winner Setanta, and stakes-placed Zara Bay.
Jolie Bay has a 2-year-old sister to Joliestar named Legacy Bay, who will carry the Barham old gold colours for Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman.
Jolie Bay foaled another Zoustar filly on September 6.
Joliestar is the 47th stakes-winner and seventh Group 1 winner for Widden Stud’s Zoustar.
