Waller chases change of luck in G1 Newmarket Handicap with Joliestar

Chris Waller understands that no matter how well a horse is prepared, luck often plays a crucial role in racing. And as Joliestar gears up for her next assignment, it’s the one thing he’s hoping for.

Next Saturday, the promising filly will compete in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, her first Victorian start since capturing the Thousand Guineas last year.

This will be her first attempt at racing down the Flemington straight, a calculated move by Waller to maximize her chances of securing another high-profile victory and shaking off her recent misfortunes.

“She just needs a bit of confidence and a bit of luck, so we thought bringing her down to Flemington to run in the Newmarket next Saturday would be a good idea,” Waller said.

“She is certainly good enough in our opinion.

“Obviously it’s a different style of racing, but one that she should adapt to.”

Joliestar’s pedigree suggests she could excel down the straight. She is a daughter of Zoustar, a Coolmore Stud Stakes winner who has produced multiple Group 1 winners over the Flemington 1200m.

His offspring have thrived in straight-track races, with Sunlight winning both the Newmarket Handicap and Coolmore Stud Stakes, Zoutori securing a Newmarket title, and Ozzmosis delivering Zoustar another Coolmore Stud Stakes victory.

Joliestar will have her second start of this preparation in the Newmarket Handicap after finishing third in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m), where she was caught wide.

Her previous two outings in the Golden Eagle and The Everest saw her finish seventh on both occasions, hindered by tough luck.

She completed a trackwork session at Flemington last Friday under Damian Lane, with Waller noting that the straight-track experience could be beneficial for future races.

“We love to give our horses an experience of running down the straight because there are so many great races here at Flemington, or even overseas if we want to travel, so it gives you that option,” he said.

Joliestar will be accompanied in the Newmarket Handicap by stablemate Gatsby’s, who was withdrawn from the $1m Inglis Sprint in favor of this Group 1 target.