Expressway Stakes sees Joliestar complete her transformation
Trainer Chris Waller announced Joliestar as now fully realised after the mare added to her excellent first-up stats by claiming victory in the Expressway Stakes held at Randwick.
Waller revealed uncertainty when previous stable companion Caballus ($4.60) established a decisive lead partway up the straight, questioning if Joliestar ($2.60 fav) could catch up.
Yet the mare pricked her ears back and got serious, overtaking the runner prepared by Bjorn Baker and drawing away to win by 1-1/4 lengths, with Lady Shenandoah ($6) from the same stable just a head behind in third position.
"She is a true horse now. Last year we were saying we needed her to settle and relax and do the little things right, and she does that now," Waller said.
"James (McDonald) put her into a beautiful position and tactically, that was great because it was a sprint home.
"Tommy (Berry on Caballus) just about pinched the race. James didn't go around them, he just stuck to the basics and rode her like a jockey should."
Joliestar's autumn campaign will keep her fresh, starting with the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) scheduled for March 7, leading into the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) in Randwick during April.
A subsequent visit to Royal Ascot is on the horizon.
"She is a foolproof horse. She runs well fresh and hopefully that will be her autumn - Canterbury Stakes, T J, and we might get on a plane after that," Waller said.
The handler was pleased with Lady Shenandoah's late charge on return, but Angel Capital ($2.90) underwent a veterinary inspection after being unruly at the start.
Beaten 3-1/2 lengths into fourth, he had been fractious early on before mounting a challenge.
Undeterred, Waller explained the entire performs best in races run at a solid clip.
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"Angel Capital was just a little bit fresh and there wasn't enough speed and intensity for him," he said.
"We will stick to our plan to go to the Newmarket Handicap.
"They went slow. I don't think he was too bad."
The post Expressway Stakes sees Joliestar complete her transformation first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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