Joliestar rocks and Harry flops &#8211; Everest no longer a one horse race

Everest picture shaken up as Joliestar stuns in The Shorts

The $20 million TAB Everest was blown wide open at Randwick on Saturday after Joliestar stormed home to win The Shorts, with James McDonald firing a cheeky warning shot at Zac Purton and hot favourite Ka Ying Rising.

“I thought Zac had one hand on the (Everest) trophy but I might have to take that one hand off and let him simmer for a bit,” McDonald said after the victory. “Because there’s two golden girls (Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah) chasing him.”

McDonald is now set to face the dilemma of choosing between Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah in The Everest on October 18.

Joliestar wins the Shorts! Bring on the Everest! 🗻@cwallerracing @mcacajamez pic.twitter.com/TpBhDBljQE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 20, 2025

Joliestar and the Waller charge

Chris Waller’s mare, returning for her first run of the spring, surged from the back to overhaul Briasa in fast time, confirming her spot among the Everest’s leading contenders. Waller declared Joliestar won’t run again before the big one, saying she’ll go in “cherry ripe.”

Waller and McDonald also combined with Fangirl earlier in the day to win the $1m 7 Stakes.

Briasa close behind

Team Hawkes were happy enough with Briasa’s gallant second, insisting the sprinter will only improve heading to 1200m at Randwick.
“He wasn’t screwed down for this,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He’s going super and will be better next time. This Everest is far from a one horse race.”

Private Harry falters

The biggest talking point was Private Harry, who faded to fifth after looming into contention on the turn. Jockey Ash Morgan admitted the four-year-old was below his best.
“He was obviously disappointing,” Morgan said. “He copped a squeeze at the start, but I thought we controlled it well after that. He just didn’t finish off.”