Trainer Chris Waller has unveiled ambitious spring plans for his star mare Joliestar, with the three-time Group 1 winner set to target both The Everest and the Champions Sprint.
The daughter of Zoustar shot to prominence with a commanding victory in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup in June. Currently rated a $10 chance in Everest futures markets, Waller confirmed on RSN that she is being prepared to run in the $20 million sprint before heading south for Flemington’s marquee sprint event.
Joliestar finished seventh in last year’s Everest, beaten just over a length and a half after encountering early interference. Jockey James McDonald remains confident in her potential. “James was adamant she should’ve finished much closer last year,” Waller said. “Hopefully she gets a second chance this time, and we’d love to see her down the Flemington straight on the final day.”
Meanwhile, Waller is weighing up options for Aeliana, last season’s G1 ATC Derby winner and current $8 favourite for the Caulfield Cup. While acknowledging her strong form, Waller expressed reservations about the 2400-metre distance, suggesting her spring path may hinge on performances in either the G1 Turnbull Stakes or G1 Epsom Handicap in early October.
“It’s what comes after the Caulfield Cup,” he noted. “It tends to make horses a bit one-paced, and the options narrow—especially for older horses. Unless we have to, we won’t rush her to 2400m.”
A Cox Plate berth is also under consideration, depending on how Aeliana performs in the lead-up.
In other stable updates, Waller indicated Via Sistina will again kick off her spring in the G1 Winx Stakes, following a quiet 850m trial at Randwick on Monday. She’s scheduled for a second trial on August 5, with a possible exhibition gallop on August 16.
“We’re leaning toward the Turnbull and then into the Cox Plate,” Waller said. “There’s still flexibility around where she goes second-up—possibly the Makybe Diva on September 13 at Flemington.”
Via Sistina could face Lady Shenandoah and Fangirl first-up in the Winx Stakes.
Elsewhere, Autumn Glow will likely resume in sprint company, targeting either the G3 Show County Quality (1200m) or the Toy Show Quality (1100m).
Rising colt Autumn Boy is being set for the G1 Caulfield Guineas, with stablemate Wodeton possibly joining him via the G1 Golden Rose or taking an alternative path to the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. Promising filly Central Coast, a dominant maiden winner, is also Coolmore-bound after returning from the paddock alongside Autumn Boy.
