Waller breaks G1 record with Joliestar in 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup

In a landmark moment at Eagle Farm, Chris Waller celebrated a new personal best as Joliestar stormed home late to claim the Kingsford Smith Cup, delivering his 19th Group 1 victory for the season.

The win surpassed his 2018-19 season total of 18 elite wins, a figure largely influenced by Winx’s remarkable form during that time.

This time around, Waller’s Group 1 tally has been driven by consistent performers like Via Sistina, who contributed heavily to his record-breaking season. But in Brisbane, it was Joliestar’s day.

Backed into $2.40 favouritism with online bookmakers, Joliestar had it all to do in the final 400m as Zarastro and Golden Mile led the charge. It wasn’t until the final few strides that jockey James McDonald felt she might actually pull it off.

“There was not one stage where I thought she was going to win the race,” McDonald said.

“Then she put in this humungous dive with two strides to go and I thought, I’m a little chance here and I looked up and saw the camera man. She is a super mare.”

Joliestar now has six wins to her name from 15 starts, a record that Waller believes could have been even more impressive with better racing luck. He hinted at a potential return to the $20 million Everest, where she finished strongly last year.

“It was a mission that we missed out on last spring so we will have a chat about it,” Waller said.

“She is a lovely horse. She’s got a great record. She did it at three, she has won a Newmarket and had a lot of bad luck along the way.

“She is a pleasure to be training. The stable at the Gold Coast call her ‘the Queen’ so we will run with that. She is the Queen of Queensland today, anyway.”

Joliestar edged out Zarastro ($17) and Golden Mile ($26) in a dramatic finish. Giga Kick, the $3.80 second favourite, never got into the contest and crossed the line in sixth.

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