Joliestar will need to overcome a wide gate if she’s to land her third Group 1 victory in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained mare has drawn barrier 13 of 14, but will be guided by star jockey James McDonald, reuniting with the daughter of Zoustar for the first time since last year’s The Everest (1200m).
Since then, Joliestar has captured the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) with Damian Lane aboard and was narrowly beaten in the All Aged Stakes (1400m) by Jimmysstar under Zac Lloyd.
Waller decided to bypass the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and instead gave Joliestar a freshen-up and a quiet trial in Sydney. When rain forced the abandonment of grass trials, she had a soft 740m hit-out on the Warwick Farm polytrack on May 22.
“It was fine,” Waller said. “The polytrack is a useful tool. The trial itself, the trip there and back—it all plays a role. She had a good day out.”
While Joliestar finished last in her trial, Waller was content with the effort and confirmed she arrived in Brisbane on Monday to settle in for race week.
Waller has yet to win the Kingsford Smith Cup, one of only two Group 1 races in Queensland missing from his expansive record. He also saddles up Democracy Manifest in Saturday’s feature, while promising three-year-old Angel Capital was withdrawn and instead targets the Fred Best Classic (1400m).
Despite the wide draw, Joliestar remains favourite at $3, with Giga Kick the second elect at $4.40 from barrier 10.