“I’m a bit one-eyed, but War Machine, I don’t think people realise how good he is,” Hayes said.
“He’s had four wins for the boys and won them all, including the Stradbroke. He won the Gilgai carrying 60kg, so he’s a worthy contender in this race.
Joliestar and James McDonald cruise to victory in the Shorts at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
“I thought Lady Shenandoah’s second in Concorde Stakes was incredible. She’s clearly a superstar. And Briasa has improved, I didn’t think he had any hope after his first run, but his second run was really good.”
As reported by this masthead on Tuesday, premier jockey James McDonald committed to Joliestar over stablemate Lady Shenandoah, who will be piloted by Damian Lane.
McDonald, who won the 2021 Everest on the Waller-trained Nature Strip, had a strong association with both stars, but committed to Joliestar before the barrier draw.
Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said of McDonald’s decision: “It’s obviously very tricky. He’s got a good affiliation with two of the three horses. It was a group decision. Ultimately, he’s got an amazing affiliation with Joliestar. She’s the second favourite, he’s the champion jockey, so he’s entitled to be riding the best Sydney has to offer.
The Everest final field
Ka Ying Rising (7) David Hayes – Zac Purton – $1.80
Briasa (10) John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes – Tyler Schiller – $12
Overpass (9) Bjorn Baker – Josh Parr – $51
Jimmysstar (11) Ciaron Maher – Ethan Brown – $9
War Machine (4) Ben, Will and JD Hayes – Tim Clark – $17
Mazu (2) Joe Pride – Jason Collett – $101
Jedibeel (8) Brad Widdup – Kerrin McEvoy – $201
Angel Capital (3) Chris Waller – Ben Melham – $26
Joliestar (5) Chris Waller – James McDonald – $6
Lady Shenandoah (6) Chris Waller – Damian Lane – $13
Magic Time (12) Grahame Begg – Michaek Dee – $51
Tempted (1) Ciaron Maher – Craig Williams – $13
“If the market suggests she’s the best in Sydney, that’s probably the way he needs to be going.”
Victorian rider Ben Melham was already booked for Waller’s other Everest runner, Angel Capital.
Joliestar has been on or around the second line of betting for the Everest behind odds-on favourite Ka Ying Rising since McDonald steered her to a dominant win in the $1 million The Shorts (1100m) on September 20 at Randwick. He has since ridden her well back in the Randwick trial, where Ka Ying Rising finished third, and she hits the race second-up.
Joliestar is the only runner from last year’s Everest field returning this year and fills the Chris Waller Racing slot. The five-year-old Zoustar mare was seventh in 2024, but only one and a half lengths away from winner Bella Nipotina.
Joe Pride-trained Mazu was last into the Everest on Monday when confirmed as slot-holder Yulong’s replacement for the injured Private Harry. Jason Collett has ridden the veteran in his recent runs and will be aboard on Saturday.
The remaining jockeys are Zac Purton (Ka Ying Rising), Josh Parr (Overpass), Ethan Brown (Jimmysstar), Tyler Schiller (Briasa), Tim Clark (War Machine), Kerrin McEvoy (Jedibeel), Michael Dee (Magic Time) and Craig Williams (Tempted).
