A troubled third when resuming from a spell in the Group II ATC Expressway Stakes in Sydney last month, super talented Zoustar mare Joliestar put that form behind her when powering to victory in the $1.5million Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Dispatched to Melbourne by champion trainer Chris Waller, Joliestar was partnered by Damian Lane and sent out favourite for the prestigious handicap sprint.
She carried 56kg and proved too good for another Sydney trained horse in Headwall, scoring by more than a length with another quality mare Stretan Angel in third place.
"We had faith about the horse being the best horse in the race. That is what we thought going out there,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.
"It made the watch a little less stressful knowing that she does have that electric turn-of-foot because when she is at her best, she is amazing.
"She is amazing every time when she wins in like that you think she is the next sprinter in the land.
"Massive credit to Chris and the team at home. Also the owners, Cambridge Stud, they pump a lot of cash in the game.
"They are really passionate owners. Henry Plumptre who aids them in the whole process and it was suggested to buy this filly at Inglis.
"She's gone full circle. She's won a Guineas, she's won a Newmarket. She's an amazing athlete and we're just happy to be involved, to be fair."
Royal Ascot could be on the horizon for Joliestar, who is an outstanding sprinter on her day.
"The TJ Smith is next and Chris mentioned Royal Ascot during the week. If she could go to Royal Ascot, it would be amazing. We managed to achieve it with Nature Strip who is enjoying his life now with us (Duckworth and wife Kathy O’Hara).
“It would be really special to take a filly there and do that like we saw last year."
Damian Lane was full of praise for Joliestar, believing he had the race won a long way from home.
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 five wins and five seconds from 12 starts with prizemoney topping $3.6million.
Bred by Chris and Jane Barham, Joliestar is a half-sister to stakes-placed God Of Thunder and Emperor and is the best of six 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, the dam of Group II winner Airman.
Jolie Bay has a yearling filly by Zoustar, a filly foal by Anamoe and is now back in foal to Zoustar.
