Legendary trainer Chris Waller claimed the one Sydney Group 1 that had dodged him until now, with star jockey James McDonald maintaining his stellar performance via a fifth stakes victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The result was Waller’s 188th lifetime Group 1 success, but notably his maiden in the Canterbury Stakes.

Waller went further by boxing the Canterbury Stakes quinella and third placegetters, Joliestar charging past Beiwacht as Lady Shenandoah endured misfortune in the runner-up spot behind.

“There’s still a few Group 1 races we haven’t won but it is good to get the set in Sydney,” Waller said.

“I feel the 1300m is just about the perfect trip for Joliestar, in 1200m races she needs speed and for them to really roll along but 1300m is her sweet spot.

“She has never been going better and we will aim her at the TJ Smith Stakes next and then all going well we will take her to Royal Ascot.

“Beiwacht was very good and Lady Shenandoah didn’t have much luck. They ran really well but I’m not sure where they will go next.”

Favourite Joliestar ($2.25) got a textbook trip under McDonald and timed her bid to catch the persistent Beiwacht ($9) by a half length at the wire, Lady Shenandoah ($4.20) third after a length-plus deficit caused by her wide path from the extreme draw.

McDonald dominated proceedings, his Group 1 Canterbury Stakes on Joliestar making it five for the card after Generosity (Challenge Stakes), Pinito (Aspiration Quality), Beadman (Fireball Stakes) and Chayan (Reisling Stakes).

This gave McDonald his 127th Group 1, encompassing 52 trained by Waller.

“I’m lucky to be riding some great horses and working with a fantastic trainer in Chris (Waller),” McDonald said.

“It’s just a lovely working relationship, the horses are performing. They are always turned out immaculate, they are here to win and as long as we get a little bit of luck throughout the race they do the job.

“Chris is a champion and I’m just hanging onto the coat tails really.”

Joliestar’s fourth Group 1 triumph elevated her stakes to over $7.1 million.

The win secures travel to the UK for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) amid Royal Ascot in June.

The rider deemed it optimal for sending the rising six-year-old Joliestar overseas.

“She is in the best form of her career because she is so tractable now,” McDonald said.

“When I peeled out I thought ‘it’s her time to shine’, she’s had everything go her way.

“She was running down a really good colt and she’s a top horse herself, so take nothing away from the second horse, Beiwacht, he was really great.”

Waller applauded the exquisite judgment from McDonald in positioning Joliestar’s charge.

“It was a beautiful ride. She had a nice draw, so everything set up well,” Waller said.

“She’s just come back really well, she’s a more mature horse. She knows her job and just does it well.”

Arrangements for Joliestar at Royal Ascot are advancing, with Waller eyeing a Nature Strip repeat from four years ago.

“We know the date she’s leaving and everything like that so that’s how far we’ve gone into the program,” he said.

“Every race you’ve got to come back safe and do the little things right and keep her good form. But one more run, that’s the TJ Smith Stakes back to 1200m and then on the plane.

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