Star mare romps home in Newmarket

Outstanding sprinter Joliestar produced an explosive performance to demolish her G1 Newmarket Handicap rivals at Flemington and press her claims for a trip further afield later in the year.

Our richly bred daughter of Zoustar was in a league of her own in the 1200 metre short course feature with trainer Chris Waller now likely to turn his shorter-term focus to another top-flight title in Sydney.

“There’s the TJ Smith Stakes (at Randwick) and there’s Royal Ascot later, if she were to go that would be amazing, very special,” Waller’s Racing Manager Charie Duckworth said.

Successful in last season’s G1 Thousand Guineas, Joliestar raced without luck in the spring when unplaced in the G1 The Everest and the Golden Eagle before she was put aside.

The four-year-old again didn’t have any favours again when a resuming third in the G2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick before she showed her true colours in the Newmarket.

She camped in behind the leaders and once into clear air, quickly put the issue beyond doubt for her fifth career victory and boosted her earnings beyond A$3.6 million.

“We had faith that she was the best horse in the race, she’s got an electric turn of foot and at her best she’s amazing,” Duckworth said.

“Massive credit to Chris, the team at home and Cambridge Stud. She’s won a Guineas and now a Newmarket, she’s an amazing athlete.”

Joliestar was beautifully handled by Damian Lane, who was in the fun zone a long way from home.

“She just needed an inch of room to put them away, she travelled so easily and I’ve never been as confident in a Group 1. She made light work of it,” he said.

Bred by Chris Barham, Joliestar was offered by Segenhoe draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where we went to A$950,000 to secure the blueblood.

She is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Jolie Bay, winner of the G2 Roman Consul Stakes and finished runner-up in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, who is a sister to the Australian and international Group 1 winner and stallion Merchant Navy.

All six of Jolie Bay’s progeny to race have been successful and includes stakes performers Emperor and God Of Thunder.

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