Joliestar and JMac too good in G1 Thousand Guineas
Chris Waller and James Mcdonald continued their successful association in Melbourne from Flemington to Caulfield as Joliestar stamped herself as a filly of the future with her win in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m).
A third victory for Waller in the race and a second for McDonald, the pair have now combined for 32 wins at the highest level.
Specifically targets, the stable plan came off as the newly positioned fillies classic played into the hands Waller’s team in the lead-up and for McDonald in the run.
“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.”
Winning the Thousand Guineas at her fifth start, the filly by star sire Zoustar notched her second win and adding to two other black type placings.
“The progression of good horses is a lot easiest than average horses, it’s a simple as that,” Waller added.
“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.”
Starting from barrier one, Joliestar ($4.60) won by 1-1/2 lengths over the Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi ($9.50) with $4.20 second favourite with bookmakers Skybird a further length away in third.
“(The barrier) was pivotal today,” McDonald said.
“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.”
Race favourite Couer Volante ($3.80) finished fourth with jockey Blake Shinn suggesting that the filly didn’t have the strength, at this stage, to see out the mile trip.
More Racing News
Michael Freedman seals brilliant day with Cinsault's stakes success
Michael Freedman's bold "Hail Mary" gamble succeeded when his peak-condition mare Cinsault claimed stakes company for the first time in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.Owned by Godolphin, Cinsault had previously notched three wins from four summer starts in lesser company prior to Freedman entering...
Oakleigh Plate victory makes Sam Freedman's 30th birthday special via Tropicus
Tropicus gave trainer Sam Freedman a memorable Group 1 present on his 30th birthday.This four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding claimed his debut top-flight win by powering clear of competitors in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) held at Caulfield on Saturday.Freedman and his father Anthony, co-trainers, had Tropicus as their secondary...
Ninja lands Hobartville Stakes after tough Magic Millions run
Putting the agony of an unfortunate defeat in the Magic Millions Guineas behind him, Ninja has notched up wins against prominent foes to capture the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.In his last start at the Gold Coast, the colt raced wide due to his outside gate but battled gamely,...
Streisand triumphs in Caulfield's Blue Diamond Stakes
Clinton McDonald has reclaimed his status as 'King of the Kids' for the second time in three years, courtesy of Streisand's victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old event at Caulfield.The trainer took the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) two years back with the tragic Hayasugi, and it was again a...
Ambitious plans ahead for Piggyback following Rosehill success
Consistent long-distance runner Piggyback has positioned herself for a potential Group One weight-for-age challenge during autumn after a dominant performance in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill.Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord to Ciaron Maher indicated various paths forward for the five-year-old mare, among them the Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill come March...
Futurity Stakes delivers Pericles breakthrough Group 1 success
The resilient gelding Pericles shed his Group 1 maiden status by grabbing a well-deserved top-level victory in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.Six heartbreaking placings at the highest grade—including a runner-up effort in the Futurity Stakes two seasons prior—were put behind him as the Street Boss six-year-old saluted...
Dominant Silver Slipper win catapults Stretan Ruler towards Golden Slipper
Phillip Stokes, the Pakenham trainer, admitted to getting disoriented at Rosehill Gardens, yet his exceptional colt Stretan Ruler navigated straight to an authoritative triumph in Saturday's Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m).Stretan Ruler demanded respect by blistering around the 1100m in 1:03.64s, finishing 3-1/2 lengths clear of Sydney's leading juveniles."I...
Buckaroo welcomes Jye McNeil for Futurity Stakes return
Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo will have jockey Jye McNeil back on board for his opening outing of the autumn series at Caulfield.The gelding heads into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, piloted by McNeil.In the gelding's tally of 31 career starts, McNeil has only been aboard...
Walker team warming to Geegees Mistruth ahead of Caulfield feature
Mark Walker's Cranbourne stable has developed an increasing fondness for Geegees Mistruth the longer she has been in their care.The four-year-old, bred in Tasmania, transferred to the Walker outfit last spring following preparation by Stuart Gandy.With six successes in 15 races, Geegees Mistruth remains without a mainland triumph, but hopes...
Berry confident in Ninja's Hobartville Stakes bid
Premier jockey Tommy Berry reckons a Queensland summer campaign has reshaped the previously unruly Ninja, placing his trust in the gelding to match the top three-year-olds at Rosehill.During his Queensland stint, Ninja raced three times, claiming victory in the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm and battling from a...