Chris Waller has turned his eyes to the expansive Flemington straight track in hope of getting a touch of luck and Joliestar (Zoustar) back in the winner’s stall for the first time in six months in next Saturday’s $1.5 million Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Waller was in Melbourne on Friday to see the four-year-old get her first look down the famous straight course, clocking 48.78 seconds under Damian Lane for the 800-metre workout, holding off Traffic Warden and stablemate Gatsby’s.
“She just needs a bit of confidence and a bit of luck,” he explained.
“She is just having no luck, her Everest run was as good as any in the run and Golden Eagle run same again, as good as any, but had no luck and then first-up things just didn’t go to plan.
“She is going as well as she’s ever gone and she’s certainly capable of winning a race like the Newmarket.”
Joliestar hasn’t saluted since the Gr.3 Show Country (1200m) last August.
The Cambridge-owned daughter of Zoustar is the $6 favourite with Sportsbet in the race, which Waller won for the only time so far with Brazen Beau back in 2015.
Having campaigned that galloper at Royal Ascot thereafter, Waller said there is a possibility Joliestar could follow the same path, as could stablemate Switzerland, who instead will run in the Canterbury Stakes next weekend.
“We love to give our horses an experience running down the straight because there are so many great races here at Flemington or even overseas if you want to travel,” Waller said.
“The beauty of winning a 1200-metre race at Flemington is it opens up the door to travel.
“She is certainly good enough (to win the Newmarket) in our opinion and this morning gave her a good chance to have a look at the straight with Damian Lane aboard.
“Obviously it’s a different style of racing but one she should adapt to pretty quickly.”
Waller said a rider won’t be be confirmed until weights are released but a top-three finish will see her line up in the G1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m), suggesting a sprinting path is more likely this campaign.
