Chris Waller‘s maturing mare Joliestar secured her fourth elite-level victory today at Randwick saluting for the punters thanks to a gun ride by hoop of the day James McDonald in the 2026 Canterbury Stakes results.

McDonald, who went on to win six of the 10 races on the Randwick Guineas Day card, timed his run to perfection on the talented Zoustar five-year-old to make it back-to-back wins this prep in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Coming off a lead-up win fresh in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes, Joliestar went on to frank the form out of that event further after the runner-up Caballus stole the show down south a few moments earlier winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap in an epic all-the-way upset.

Twelve months on from her own Newmarket triumph last year, Joliestar hit her “sweet-spot” distance wise in the Canterbury relishing the 1300m and saluting as the well backed favourite with a 0.59 length win over her stablemate Beiwacht.

“It (the distance) is perfect,” Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-victory.

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

In an all-Waller Canterbury Stakes trifecta, Lady Shenandoah got up for a game third only 1.19 lengths off the impressive winner.

It was a professional effort by the mare and her star rider with J-Mac positioned perfectly in the stalking position third as they cornered for home.

Eventual runner-up Beiwacht led them onto the straight before Joliestar ($2.25F) moved up on the outside beginning her charge in earnest.

Looming up, she ran down the front-runner inside the final 50m extending on the line in a terrific effort.

“It was a beautiful ride,” Waller said, quick to credit another masterclass from McDonald.

“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 ready to return the praise for Waller who he described as a “champion”.

“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.”

McDonald was also full of praise for the brave runner-up Beiwacht who was given a strong ride by Adam Hyeronimus.

“He was phenomenal,” McDonald said.

“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.”

Plans are for Joliestar to stick in Sydney for The Championships targeting the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) back at Randwick on April 4.

She has firmed into $5 second favouritism in the latest all-in 2026 TJ Smith Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au sitting behind only Jimmysstar ($4).

“One more run, that’s the TJ (Smith) back to 1200m and then on the plane,” Waller said, confirming plans to head to Royal Ascot later in the year.

“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.”

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