TJ Smith Stakes conquest positions Joliestar for worldwide pursuits
Following her capture of the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, Chris Waller hailed Joliestar as a thoroughly matured competitor, her fifth Group 1 conquest in the bag.
The hardy mare shone brightly, fending off Giga Kick's persistent bid to seal a perfect three-race Sydney autumn record, bookended by successes in the Expressway Stakes and Canterbury Stakes.
"Joliestar just showed the difference between her this year compared to last year," Waller said.
"Last year she could pull out a belter of a run but wide draws and luck in running could get her beaten, too.
"But she is a more complete racehorse now and is at the very peak of her form."
As the $3.90 market elect, Joliestar gifted Waller and star rider James McDonald successive elite wins, defeating Giga Kick ($4.60) by a half-length margin, with Skybird ($41) just a neck adrift in third.
The result advanced Waller to 15 Group 1 tallies in the 2025-26 campaign and lifted his barn's prize money to an unprecedented $61.06 million, with significant racing still to unfold.
Approaching 200 career Group 1 strikes at 195, the Hall of Fame conditioner trails only legends Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings in that elite club.
This marked the fourth TJ Smith Stakes TJ Smith Stakes success for Waller and McDonald, after their trio with Nature Strip spanning 2020-2022.
Emulating Nature Strip's Royal Ascot glory, Joliestar's camp is plotting an international foray.
"The dream of Royal Ascot is very exciting, and no doubt she'll be a force to be reckoned with," McDonald said.
"She has had her doubters before, but they have no leg to stand on now, she is a Grand Final winner."
McDonald’s domestic Group 1 haul stands at 12 this term, complemented by three abroad with Romantic Warrior from Hong Kong.
Joliestar’s path leads to Royal Ascot per Waller, likely the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on June 20.
"I think we will probably go for the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot," Waller said.
"We had the trip planned well before today but we wanted to see her run well in the TJ to cement her place for England."
From 21 starts, Joliestar has 10 victories, including five Group 1s, amassing over $8.8 million in stakes.
Waller eyes further campaigns for the mare.
"I would go to Royal Ascot and bring her back for The Everest – she has just started to mature as a racehorse," he said.
Follow Joliestar's international journey and check online bookmakers for betting markets on her Royal Ascot tilt.
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