Expressway stakes showdown pits Joliestar against Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah

In The Everest, Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah from the same stable were separated by under a length, leaving trainer Chris Waller struggling to differentiate ahead of the Expressway Stakes.

"Joliestar has come back really well. James (McDonald) has been on her in a few pieces of work and her trials and been very happy," Waller said.

"I don't know where the ceiling is with Angel Capital, but he is very, very good. That's what we will find out about him."

Regarding Lady Shenandoah, Waller acknowledges her potential oversight after a troubled spring.

"Through bad luck, I guess she is. She had no luck (last campaign)," he said.

Both Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah boast elite-level credentials, while Angel Capital remains on the cusp of Group 1 glory.

He endured misfortune in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and met an in-form Jimmysstar en route to second in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m), capping his autumn efforts.

Nevertheless, Waller maintains the four-year-old has more to offer and is primed for Group 1 triumph.

"It's as simple as that," he said.

"He seems equally effective left-handed or right-handed. He will be ready to go fresh. He's a big strong horse, a proper horse."

The trainer prefers not to rematch the speedy trio right away, with paths diverging: Angel Capital possibly targeting the Newmarket Handicap (1200m), while Newmarket victor Joliestar from last year heads toward Sydney's Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Joliestar opened as $2.60 favourite in pre-post wagering for Thursday's Expressway Stakes (1200m), followed by Lady Shenandoah ($3.40) and Angel Capital ($4). Check online bookmakers for the latest on this key event.

The post A Star, an Angel and a Lady vie for Expressway honours first appeared on Just Horse Racing.