Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay celebrated Group One success on Saturday as royally bred filly Joliestar (Zoustar) claimed the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
The royally-bred daughter of Zoustar is out of the Gr.2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) winner Jolie Bay, who finished second in the 2012 edition of the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Purchased by Cambridge Stud for A$950,000 at the 2022 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, leading trainer Chris Waller was the beneficiary of the prized filly and has long had a good opinion of the filly.
Successful in her only start as a two-year-old, Joliestar had been placed in all three of her starts this campaign, including runner-up finishes in both the Listed Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) and the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day.
Superbly ridden by James McDonald, Joliestar travelled easily in the trail behind another Lindsay-owned runner in Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) before finding clear air to issue her challenge shortly after straightening.
McDonald shot her to an unassailable advantage as she found a powerful kick to stave off the efforts of runner-up Kimochi (Brave Smash) while the well fancied Skybird (Exosphere) made up good ground to finish third ahead of race favourite Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir).
Brendan Lindsay was on-course to lead in Joliestar, who will at some stage be another jewel in the Cambridge Stud broodmare band.
“We’ve got Brendan here today to collect the trophy,” McDonald said.
“He told me a funny story before I got legged on. He said I’ve booked two tickets (home) and I said what, to take me home and he said no, for the trophy.
“He must have known.
“I had such a really good feeling about her that she was building towards something. Her run was fantastic last start with a really good gate and being able to get a really good trip in transit, she was always going to produce.”
“The (inside) barrier was pivotal today, especially on the circle track that has been playing a little bit up and in, so we were grinning ear to ear walking out.
“She’s had a feeling about her during her whole preparation that she has kept improving and improving but she hasn’t been winning.
“She hasn’t had a lot of luck, so I thought today from barrier one she was going to get every chance.”
Waller said the race had been the plan this campaign for Joliestar.
“We did identify that she had ability right from the start,” Waller said.
“Cambridge Stud, Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Henry Plumptre, really liked her at the sales. We couldn’t afford her however I got her to train and they have been justified in their investment.
“They’re (Cambridge Stud) a great nursery in New Zealand and they spread their wings in Australia each Carnival.
“So, to train one for them with James McDonald (another Kiwi) aboard is pretty cool.”
Waller explained he had given the filly a patient build-up and was quick to praise former top jockey Steven Arnold for his work with her.
“The progression of good horses is a lot easier than average horses, it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“She’s done it herself. I’ve found the races, she’s turned up.
“Steven Arnold does a lot of work for us and came and rode her on Tuesday morning and said she got around here well and said she was on the way up. He said she gave him the right feel.
“So, thanks to Steven and Jo and the team down here, they do a fantastic job.
“She had a great barrier and James did the rest.” Already a valuable filly, the Group One success adds further lustre to the future breeding prospects for Joliestar who comes from an extended family that also includes another Coolmore Stud Stakes winner in Merchant Navy who is currently forging a career at stud in Australia.
