The Chris Waller-trained mare Joliestar further cemented her status as one of the country’s premier sprinters on Saturday, claiming her fourth career victory at the highest level in a thrilling 2026 Canterbury Stakes result at Randwick.

2026 Canterbury Stakes winner Joliestar will target the TJ Smith Stakes next before a trip to Royal Ascot. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The win was the centrepiece of a historic day for jockey James McDonald, who dominated the Randwick Guineas Day program by winning six of the ten races.

McDonald produced a perfectly timed performance on the five-year-old daughter of Zoustar to secure back-to-back wins this campaign in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Having entered the race following a first-up success in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes, Joliestar provided a massive form boost for that line of racing.

Her Expressway runner-up, Caballus, had caused a major upset just moments earlier by winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

Marking exactly one year since her own triumph in the Newmarket, Joliestar appeared to find her ideal distance on Saturday.

Relishing the 1300m journey, the heavily supported favourite proved too strong in the finish, securing a 0.59-length victory over stablemate Beiwacht.

“It (the distance) is perfect,” trainer Chris Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central following the win.

“1200m she needs speed and for them to really roll along but 1300m is a sweet spot.”

The victory headlined an incredible all-Waller Canterbury Stakes trifecta, with the courageous Lady Shenandoah finishing third, just 1.19 lengths behind the winner.

The race unfolded with professional precision from the star rider and his mount.

McDonald settled Joliestar ($2.25F) in a stalking position, sitting third as the field rounded the home turn.

Beiwacht led the pack into the straight and fought bravely, but Joliestar loomed up on the outside and began her charge in earnest.

She eventually wore down the leader in the final 50m, drawing away late in a high-quality display.

“It was a beautiful ride,” Waller said, praising McDonald’s execution.

“She had a nice draw, so everything set up well. She’s just come back really well; she’s a more mature horse.

“She knows her job and just does it well.”

McDonald was quick to deflect the credit back to the Hall of Fame trainer.

“Great horses, and working with a fantastic trainer in Chris (Waller),” he said.

“It’s just a lovely working relationship; the horses are performing.

“He’s a champion and I’m just hanging onto the coat tails really.

“They are always turned out immaculate; they are here to win and as long as we get a little bit of luck throughout the race they do the job.”

The jockey also acknowledged the tenacity of the runner-up, Beiwacht, who was steered by Adam Hyeronimus.

“He was phenomenal,” McDonald noted.

“He got a lovely mid-race, Adam rode him beautifully, he got him into a lovely rhythm.

“When I peeled out, I thought ‘it’s her time to shine’, she’s had everything go her way.

“She was running down a really good colt and she’s a top horse herself, so take nothing away from the second horse he was really great.”

Joliestar is now set to remain in Sydney for The Championships, with her primary target being the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 4.

Following Saturday’s win, she has firmed into $5 second favouritism in all-in TJ Smith Stakes betting at Ladbrokes, trailing only Jimmysstar ($4).

Waller confirmed that the Sydney feature would be her final local start before an international campaign.

“One more run, that’s the TJ (Smith) back to 1200m and then on the plane,” Waller said, eyeing a trip to Royal Ascot.

“We know the date she’s leaving (for the UK) and everything like that so that’s how far we’ve gone into the program.

“Every race you’ve got to come back safe and do the little things right and keep her good form.”

2026 Canterbury Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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