Waller says Joliestar primed for Royal Ascot after strong Flemington hit-out

Trainer Chris Waller has given Joliestar a big tick of approval heading into a Royal Ascot campaign after the champion mare had a hit-out at Flemington on Friday.

Joliestar leaves for the UK on Wednesday, with her team keen to prove her class in the northern hemisphere.

Waller was in Melbourne to watch the 5-time Group 1 winner run down the straight with James McDonald onboard.

‘’I’m really happy [with Joliestar’s work]. I haven’t spoken to James yet, but she looked to do everything comfortably and exactly what I wanted to see,’’ he told racing.com.

‘’We’ve done lots of little pieces of work similar to this morning and each and every one of them has been exactly what we wanted to see.’’

Waller said the hit-out was the final piece of local preparation before she departs.

‘’Big trip ahead. On Wednesday evening they depart, but knowing that she’s done her work here, she’s in terrific form,’’ he said.

”And … it’s all about recovery after the big journey.”

”But a horse like Joliestar, she’s owned by Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, and they’re all about the brand.”

”And it’s a great advertisement for them and to their stud and the history that Cambridge Stud has.”

‘’So we floated the idea early on, and it’s not about prizemoney; it’s about the mare and her name.’’

Waller said her Ascot campaign will allow the mare, and her owners, to prove she can hold her own anywhere in the world.

‘’If she could win at Royal Ascot she’s going to be seen as a champion sprinter in both sides of the hemispheres,’’ he said.

‘’I think that’s the main reason, just to show Joliestar to the world.’’