TJ Smith Stakes pursuit next for UK-bound Joliestar
Joliestar, now a five-year-old, is performing at her best, and her trainer Chris Waller highlights her steadiness as the key indicator.
On Saturday, the mare seeks her third consecutive success in the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, a milestone absent from her previous seasons.
She has shown elite ability since turning three, yet holding that level through an entire prep was challenging until this time.
"I can't fault her. She is two from two this 'prep', and she is a confident lady who is taking the next step with consistency," Waller said.
"You just see that with more mature horses. That's the difference between your five-year-olds and your four-year-olds.
"Your four-year-olds still do a few little things wrong, but the five-year-olds, they know what they're doing. They can race themselves."
She kicked off her campaign with a gritty win over Caballus, who later took the Newmarket Handicap, in the Expressway Stakes (1200m), then dominated to win the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
With close to four weeks rest leading into the T J Smith Stakes, an interval that has worked well for her before.
Beyond the Sydney autumn series, Waller plans conservatively, eyeing Joliestar's English campaign as their summer begins.
Post-Saturday, she'll enjoy a week's rest then shift to Melbourne for training and barrier trials at Flemington, simulating the straight courses she'll face overseas.
Waller's short-term goal remains the T J Smith Stakes, with Joliestar at $4.40 in third spot on early betting boards, behind Tentyris ($3 fav, three-year-old) and Jimmysstar ($4).
The young Tentyris looks to emulate Trapeze Artist from 2018 as the first three-year-old to overcome the veteran sprinters.
Check out online bookmakers for the latest racing betting markets on the TJ Smith Stakes featuring Joliestar.
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