Joliestar storms home in Kingsford Smith Cup to deny local fairtyale
Joliestar snatched victory from the jaws of almost certain defeat in the Kingsford Smith Cup to mow down Tony Gollan's Queensland bolter Zarastro and deny jockey Angela Jones her maiden Group 1.
It gave Waller his 19th Group 1 of the season, breaking his previous record for the most Group 1 winners in a season in Australia.
It was also the first time a female horse had won the Kingsford Smith since Sea Siren saluted in 2012 and Black Caviar a year earlier.
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But this was a race that was about far more than raw statistics.
Just about everyone seemed to have it pegged as a clash between Newmarket Handicap champion Joliestar and Giga Kick, the former The Everest champion.
But no-one told young Queensland jockey Jones, riding in just her third Group 1 race and only partnering Gollan-trained Zarastro because the race had been rescheduled from the washout a week earlier.
• What the jockeys said: 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup
Zarastro, having his first lash at a Group 1, fought like a caged tiger to head off a challenge from Golden Mile and he looked to be heading for an incredible triumph.
Then came Joliestar from so far back that even McDonald thought it was a near impossibility, snatching an incredible last gasp win.
Joliestar will almost certainly not contest next Saturday's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, with owner Brendan Lindsay saying it's not on the cards.
Sights will be set on a revenge mission in this year's The Everest after the Joliestar team felt the mare raced without any luck last year.
Waller felt that what ended up being the winning move was McDonald getting Joliestar across ahead of Giga Kick in the early stages.
But, watching the race, Waller still felt it was a tall order to be able to run down the leaders.
• Dale ponders shot at Stradbroke with Front Page
'It's been hard to run the leaders down today but we discussed things pre-race and we couldn't change our racing pattern,' Waller said.
'James went straight across from the barriers and got in front of Giga Kick and one or two others and that was what probably won him the race.
'Joliestar was off the bridle at the 500(m) but her class got her home.
'We missed out on (winning) The Everest last year, so we would like to have another crack this year.'
McDonald described Joliestar as a 'big rocket.'
'She wasn't entitled to win, but that's how good she is,' he said.
'When I looked up at the 600 (m) I thought I was OK.
'Then I got on my bike but as soon as I did that, the pace quickened and the margin went from five lengths turning for home to seven lengths.
'It just didn't feel like I was making ground.
'I was lucky I was on a proper horse, even though she didn't like the ground at Eagle Farm today.'
Joliestar returns to scale. Picture: Trackside Photography
• Sunrays ends stellar campaign as trainer resists Group 1 lure
There has rarely been a happier second-placed finisher in a Group 1 than Gollan who was proud as punch of Zarastro which started as a $17 chance.
'He ran the race of his life, he was so tough,' Gollan said.
'He was beaten three times down the straight, but he kept putting his head out.
'I couldn't have been prouder of the horse, he hasn't raced in many weeks due to track conditions and things like that.
'Then to go down to such a good, strong race like that and race that well, I'm so happy.
'I knew we got beat on the line but it took a multiple Group 1 winner to beat him.
'I'm very proud of my horse and I'm very proud of Angela.'
Giga Kick battled away but could only manage sixth while potential Stradbroke Handicap contender Rise At Dawn was fifth.
The connections of Giga Kick said it was one of the few times in his career that he has produced a disappointing run.
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