Joliestar enters Everest reckoning with Show County win
Widden Stud flagbearer Zoustar (Northern Meteor) continues to go from strength to strength as he throws down a serious challenge to I Am Invincible’s (Invincible Spirit) three-year stranglehold on the champion sire title, with his crack mare Joliestar serving notice of a mega spring through a stunning victory in Show County Quality (Gr 3, 1200m).
Trainer Chris Waller had also entered the MRC Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner in another of Randwick’s features on Saturday, the Toy Show Quality (Gr 3, 1100m) against her own sex.
In the end, he opted to deploy her first-up in a second straight tilt against the males in the Show County.
Just like last time – in April’s Arrowfield Sprint (Gr 2, 1200m), she claimed the main prize. Unlike last time, when she held on for a scrambling win on the bob, she was frighteningly impressive, as she staked her claim for a slot in the $20 million The Everest (1200m).
Settling seventh under James McDonald from gate eight of 12, Joliestar travelled with consummate ease as she was hooked out to set after the leaders at the 350-metre mark. And merely let go under the lightest of hands and heels riding by her master jockey, she cruised past quality rivals as if they were maidens, sliding away to a 2.9 length victory untouched.
The favourite, though slightly easy at $2.60, Joliestar had 2.9 lengths in hand on the line over second elect Our Kobison (Kobayashi), winner of five of his last seven, who earned a dash of black-type at his first attempt. Dual Group 3 winner Phearson (Exosphere) was third, a further length away.
McDonald had time to be the showman, giving several looks over either shoulder and posing for the photos with a pat down the neck on the line for Joliestar, who’s now won four from seven, with three thirds.
And while the lightly-raced four-year-old’s finest hour has come over a mile in the Thousand Guineas, Waller said the versatile Joliestar was now in line for the world’s richest sprint on turf.
“It does help with looking towards Everest slot interest,” Waller said of the win, “but most importantly … wherever she goes, she’s going to be a star.”
McDonald agreed.
“I expected her to win, but not with that much ease. She executed really well,” he said.
“She’s been working like a really, really good horse at home, and it’s been hard work containing her but they’ve done a really good job. It’s been really nice to let the shackles off, so to speak, and let her rip.”
From the quality female line flowing through third dam Decidity (Last Tycoon), second dam Legally Bay (Snippets) and mother Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock), Joliestar has made herself an advertisement for the expensive yearling.
Bred by Queensland’s Chris Barham, she was a $950,000 Inglis Easter purchase for her owners, Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay, bought from Segenhoe Stud’s draft.
Late to the track – she won her Warwick Farm debut as a June two-year-old and took the Thousand Guineas at her fourth start – Joliestar has more than made up for lost time, accruing $1.86 million in prize-money. Provided she stays sound, there’ll be plenty to come.
“She’s very good, she’s well named, she’s a star,” said Waller. “The owners, Brendan and Jo, have looked after her so well and have been so patient, and they’re reaping the rewards now.”
As intriguing as most battles on the track, Zoustar and I Am Invincible could be set for a titanic fight on the general sires’ table this term, as Widden’s stallion strives to stop his Yarraman Park rival from a fourth straight title.
Both 14, both standing for a nation-topping $275,000 (inc GST) this spring, the pair filled the quinella on the table last season. I Am Invincible was $8 million to the good of Zoustar, but Zoustar was a clear victor by winners – matching Vinnie’s past Australian record of 208 – and had 17 stakes winners to his rival’s 15.
This season, Zoustar has the early advantage on both fronts, with 22 winners to Vinnie’s 20, and with Joliestar’s $141,000 prize extending his lead on earnings, which before Saturday stood at $1,258,387 million to $884,000.
In addition, Joliestar also became Zoustar’s third stakes winner of the season, two more than his nearest rival, and with I Am Invincible yet to open his account.
Joliestar is the fifth of six named foals for Jolie Bay, winner of the 2012 ATC Roman Consul Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and runner-up in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), who has also thrown stakes-placed city winners God Of Thunder (More Than Ready), and Emperor (I Am Invincible), plus the city-winning True Legend (Deep Field).
Jolie Bay is a sister to Kooringal Stud stallion Merchant Navy – winner of the Coolmore and Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee (Gr 1, 6f) – and Listed winner Setanta.
The 15-year-old Jolie Bay now has a yearling sister to Joliestar, and was covered by Darley debutant Anamoe (Street Boss) last spring.