Group 1 winner Joliestar out to repel the challenge of the high-class international runners in the $10m Golden Eagle

Chris Waller and Kerrin McEvoy acknowledge the challenge facing high-class mare Joliestar in the $10m Golden Eagle but the fact she is a Group 1 winning miler gives them confidence.

Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller and champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy both concede talented mare Joliestar needs to be at her very best to win the $10 million James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Joliestar is regarded as the best local hope to repel a powerful international presence in the nation’s second richest race.

There are a record four overseas-trained starters in the Golden Eagle including Japan’s outstanding filly and race favourite, Ascoli Piceno ($4.20) and unbeaten French Group 1 winner Lazzat.

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Corazon Beat, a contemporary of Ascoli Piceno, and England’s Lake Forest also rate among the main chances in a stacked 20-horse field that includes eight individual Group 1 winners.

Joliestar is one of those proven big-race performers and she is on the second line of Golden Eagle betting at $5.

“This race has captured attention around the (racing) world,” Waller said of the rich Rosehill race.

“The international horses are top class, both the Japanese have very strong form lines. You need a very good horse to win this race.”

McEvoy is reunited with Joliestar for the Golden Eagle and is also under no illusions about the task confronting her.

“This is a very deep race,” McEvoy said. “It will take some winning, that’s for sure.”

Joliestar goes to the Golden Eagle after a fast-finishing seventh in The Everest won by Bella Nipotina two weeks ago.

What a mare! 🙌

An epic finish to the #TABEverest with Bella Nipotina calling upon all her bravery to win! 😮@CWilliamsJockey | @cmaherracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/joFzBJjypt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

Waller, who won the inaugural Golden Eagle with Kolding (2019), said Joliestar has come through The Everest in good shape and galloped impressively at Rosehill trackwork earlier this week.

“I didn’t think she had a lot of luck in The Everest but she was strong through the line,” Waller said.

“The step up to 1500m is no problem, she has won over a mile (Thousand Guineas), we know she will settle and I think the draw (barrier 11) is a positive.

“She’s already ticked the Group 1 box so she gets the chance to race for massive prizemoney in the Golden Eagle.”

McEvoy also noted how well Joliestar hit the line in The Everest after the mare was shuffled back to last on the turn.

“I thought she ran really well in The Everest,” McEvoy said.

“Her last furlong (a200m) that day was great and she was only beaten one-and-a-half lengths.

“I feel she has one of the strongest form lines going into the race and this distance should be suiting her now.

“She’s a Group 1 winner at a mile so that gives me confidence and she goes there with a strong chance.”