Lightly raced four year-old Zoustar mare Joliestar won the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas over 1600m at the end of last spring, but the decision to program her for sprint races this season with the Everest in mind looks like paying big dividends.
The Chris Waller trained Joliestar has looked sharp in recent trials and produced a brilliant turn of foot to burn straight past up and coming sprinter Our Kobison to win the Group III ATC Show County Quality (1200m) by nearly three lengths.
Her change of gear for James McDonald was electric and the dominance she showed over the final furlong will put her right on the radar for Everest slot holders.
"She's very good, she's well named, she's a star. She was dominant in the Arrowfield in the Autumn. The owners, Brendan and Joe, have looked after her so well and have been so patient and they're reaping the rewards now,” said Chris Waller.
“It does help with looking towards Everest slot interest, but most importantly, see how she comes through it, and wherever she goes, she's going to be a star.”
James McDonald was thrilled with the performance.
"I expected her to win, but not with that much ease, she executed really well,” he said.
"She's been working like a really, really good horse at home, and it's been hard work containing her but they've done a really good job. It's been really nice to let the shackles off, so to speak and let her rip."
A $950,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay from the Segenhoe Thoroughbreds draft, Joliestar has the impressive record of four wins and three seconds from seven starts with prizemoney topping $1.8million.
Bred by Chris and Jane Barham, Joliestar is a half-sister to stakes-placed God Of Thunder and Emperor and is the best of five winners from top-class Fastnet Rock mare Jolie Bay.
The Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes winner and runner-up in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, Jolie Bay, is a sister to dual Group I winner Merchant Navy, Listed winner Setanta, and stakes-placed Zara Bay.
Jolie Bay had no yearling for the sales this year, but produced a filly last spring by Zoustar and is back in foal to Anamoe.
Joliestar is the third stakes-winner of the new season for Widden Stud's flagship sire Zoustar, whose star five year-old mare Zougotcha returned with a game second in the Group I ATC Winx Stakes..
