Cambridge Stud mare Joliestar got the green tick of approval from trainer Chris Waller following her 900m jump out win at Flemington on Friday, her final public appearance before she begins her marathon journey to England next week ahead of competing at Royal Ascot.
“She looked to do everything comfortably and it was exactly what I wanted to see,” Waller told Racing.com. “She has done a lot of pieces of work similar to this morning and each and every one of them has been exactly what we wanted to see.
“It’s a big trip ahead on Wednesday evening. Knowing she has done her work here, she is in terrific form, and it is all about recovery now after the big journey.”
Joliestar, who carries the familiar gold and black checked silks of Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, will contest the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on June 20, a race won by the farm’s stallion Hello Youmzain.
“She is owned by Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, and they are all about the brand and it is a great advertisement for them and to their stud and the history that Cambridge Stud has,” Waller said.
“We floated the idea early on and it’s not about prizemoney it is about the mare and her name. If she could win at Royal Ascot, she is going to be seen as Champion sprinter in both hemispheres. That is the main reason, to show Joliestar to the world.”
Waller is also excited to have another representative at the iconic meeting, having won the 2022 edition of the Gr.1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) with Nature Strip, which is now run as the King Charles III Stakes.
“It is a great week,” he said. “It’s Flemington Cup Week, Championships in Sydney and Everest Day all put together.
“I have gone each year since Nature Strip won, and going to each five days saying ‘how good is this’, so taking a horse back is fantastic.
“The year after Nature Strip won, when they ran the King’s Stand, I got really emotional at not having a runner. We are really keen to get back.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
