Selected for the Waller Racing slot for this year’s $20million The Everest, five year-old Zoustar mare Joliestar showed she would be a force to be reckoned with after scoring a scintillating victory in the $1million Group II ATC The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Resuming from a spell after a last start win in the Group I BRC Kingsford Smith Cup back in June, the Chris Waller trained mare had two trials under her belt and as ready to rumble.
Given a patient ride by James McDonald she hit the line hard off a hot pace to run away from Briasa and win by more than a length in a slick 1:02.13 with previously unbeaten Private Harry in fifth place.
"I only had one objective and that was to get her into a smooth rhythm, I didn't want a stop-start affair," McDonald said.
"She slid around, albeit deep, but how I was thinking was Briasa was the one to beat and he was just inside me.
"It wasn't like he was on the fence and I was four wide. He was not far off me and she was game as anything.
"She's a solid horse that runs seven furlongs, that was thrilling and she deserves a spot in The Everest.
"I think she will make her presence felt."
A $950,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay from the Segenhoe Thoroughbreds draft, Joliestar has the impressive record of seven wins and six placings from 16 starts with prizemoney topping $5.1million.
Bred by Chris and Jane Barham, Joliestar is a half-sister to stakes-placed God Of Thunder and Emperor and is the best of six winners from top-class Fastnet Rock mare Jolie Bay.
The Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes winner and runner-up in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, Jolie Bay, is a sister to dual Group I winner Merchant Navy, Listed winner Setanta, and stakes-placed Zara Bay, the dam of Group II winner Airman.
Jolie Bay has a yearling filly by Anamoe and is due to foal to Zoustar.
