Chris Waller is preparing a formidable three-pronged assault on the $20 million The Everest, with his focus extending beyond the challenge of trying to dethrone Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising.

Twelve months ago, Joliestar was desperately unlucky in the same race, shuffled to last on the home turn before flashing home late to finish just over 1½ lengths behind winner Bella Nipotina. Since then, she has enhanced her résumé with elite victories in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m), and now returns to settle unfinished business in The Everest (1200m).

“Right after (jockey) James (Mcdonald) got off her last year, he said we were very stiff. We should have gone closer,” Waller said.

“It hasn’t so much been about redemption, it’s about giving her a second chance.

“Fortunately, we’ve got a horse we think is more mature now. Not that she wasn’t last year but she begins well, she puts herself in the race. She is versatile, as we saw first-up when she sat four-wide.

“The key is she’s a good horse. Let her use her stride and she’ll be there at the finish.”

James McDonald reunites with Joliestar in the world’s richest turf sprint, where she will again face Ka Ying Rising, the David A. Hayes-trained gelding rated the world’s best sprinter.

“He’s got to bring that overseas rating to Australia. If he does, it’s great for Sydney racing, Australian racing,” Waller said.

“If he doesn’t win, I hope he runs second, and we’ve got a new world champion.”

Waller will also saddle up Coolmore Classic winner Lady Shenandoah, who was narrowly beaten in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) first-up before finishing fourth in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

“Her first-up run was excellent and she had no luck in the Manikato (Stakes),” Waller said. “She does have the x-factor.”

Rounding out the Waller trio is Angel Capital, who was a luckless fourth in the Sir Rupert Stakes last start and continues to show Group 1 potential with five wins from nine starts.

“Everyone that has got anything to do with the horse has got full confidence he’s a big deal,” Waller said.

“We’re just waiting for him to put it all together on the big stage.”

If you’re looking to place a wager on The Everest or any of the major spring features, check out Australia’s top betting sites—the most searched online platforms on Google for racing odds, tips, and offers.