Horse racing: Third time lucky for Joliestar as she is booked to climb Everest again
Superstar Cambridge Stud mare Joliestar will make her third attempt to summit the A$20 million Group 1 The Everest at Randwick on Saturday week.
On each occasion, she has represented the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot and this year is no different, with the stable announcing her as its elected runner this week.
Following her placing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot in June, she returned to Australia where she was runner-up in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick last month.
The 6-year-old daughter of Zoustar subsequently finished fourth in a star-studded 1000m trial at Randwick on Tuesday, which was taken out by Ninja, with New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising second.
Trainer Chris Waller has been thrilled with Joliestar’s performances over the past 12 months, which included victories in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Waller said she deserves another crack at the world’s richest turf race.
“Her form over the past 12 months has been that of the premier Australian sprinter,” he said. “She went to Royal Ascot and performed admirably against some of the best sprinters in the world, which gave everyone involved enormous confidence in just how good she is.
“To have her represent the slot for a third consecutive time is a fantastic result and we’re incredibly excited to see her back at Royal Randwick.”
Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay are thrilled to be contesting The Everest once again with their star mare.
“The importance of this agreement goes well beyond simply securing a slot for The Everest,” Sir Brendan Lindsay said. “It reflects the strength of the relationship that has developed between Cambridge Stud and the partners of the CWR slot. There is a genuine level of trust, respect and understanding between the parties and that makes an agreement such as this both feasible and important.
“Joliestar has given Cambridge Stud some incredible moments already, and her performance on the international stage at Royal Ascot was another example of the quality she possesses. To have her back representing Cambridge Stud and the CWR partners in The Everest for a third consecutive year is incredibly special.”
– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk