Joliestar hoping for strong Newmarket Handicap at Flemington

Star mare in poor form

At the end of the 2023/24 horse racing season, Joliestar looked prime to go on to be one of Australia’s next top horses. Unfortunately, the mare has failed to deliver during the 2024/25 campaign.

While often one of the betting sites favourites because of her pedigree and Group 1-winning record, Joliestar has won just one race this season: the Group 3 Hyland Race Colours Show County Quality at Randwick in August.

Joliestar finished third in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes in February, her first race of 2025. Prior to that, she finished seventh place in The Golden Eagle and The Everest.

Trainer calls run unlucky

Trainer Chris Waller says Joliestar is lacking confidence and needs a bit of luck right now to get back to her best. He hopes that a trip back to Flemington can give Joliestar what she’s missing right now.

“She just needs a bit of confidence and a bit of luck, so we thought bringing her down to Flemington to run in the Newmarket next Saturday would be a good idea,” Waller said.

“She is certainly good enough in our opinion. Obviously it’s a different style of racing, but one that she should adapt to.”

Joliestar’s stablemate Gatsby’s will join her in the $1,500,000 race at Flemington on Saturday.

Future not set in stone

Joliestar is the current favourite to win the Newmarket Handicap. Most betting apps give the mare $5 chances.

Waller is hoping that this fresh start can be a stepping stone to a strong end of this season. Where Joliestar races at the end of this season is still to be determined though.

“We love to give our horses an experience of running down the straight because there are so many great races here at Flemington, or even overseas if we want to travel, so it gives you that option,” Waller said.