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By Ray Hickson

If Group 1 winner Joliestar is being thought of as a TAB Everest hopeful by Chris Waller then the soon to be four-year-old kicked off in the right fashion at Tuesday’s Rosehill trials.

Trainer Chris Waller (Pic: Bradley Photos)

A number of Waller’s spring big guns had quiet launches to their campaigns, including superstars Via Sistina and Fangirl, but that wasn’t the case with Joliestar who led all the way to win a 900m heat in her first appearance since winning the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint at The Star Championships.

Waller gave media a rundown on how his early triallers had returned during last Saturday’s Rosehill meeting and in that discussion he highlighted Joliestar as a potential Everest runner.

The champion trainer has a slot with a number of partners and suggested if Joliestar shows in her, yet to be confirmed, first-up run she has the dash to be aimed at the $20 million showpiece that could be where she’s pointed.

“Of our horses she could be in the Everest picture,’’ Waller said.

“We made the mistake with Zougotcha last year, trying to make her sprint, but I think Joliestar is probably a little bit sharper.

“We might give her a chance to sprint and decide after that first-up run.”

Zougotcha was given her opportunity to show any sprinting wares early last season when Waller gave her an Everest test first-up in the Group 3 Toy Show (1100m). Ultimately, she didn’t come up in the spring but bounced back with an unbeaten autumn that included two Group 1s.

Joliestar has only raced six times for three wins and three seconds and Waller said he chose not to race her in Queensland during the winter following her Arrowfield win to focus on the spring. She's on the $26 line in the TAB's all-in Everest market.

“We’ve got a horse with plenty of carrots,’’ he said.

Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up Via Sistina stepped out in a 1000m trial, won by the recently gelded Williamsburg, and the way she poked home in fifth place would have pleased Waller and James McDonald.

It appears likely she will resume on Winx Stakes Day, which is August 24, but whether that is in Sydney or Melbourne has not been determined as Waller said he'd prefer to keep a few of his stars apart early on.

Waller, still a little in awe of what he saw Pride Of Jenni produce back on April 13, said he hopes a rematch with her Queen Elizabeth conqueror happens at some stage during the spring.

“It proves how good Pride Of Jenni is because she took it to a different level of racing and woke us all up,’’ he said.

“It’d be nice to be able to get to race her again in the spring."

Fangirl, who missed the bulk of the autumn after sustaining a wound to her leg, was one of four Waller mares, Zougotcha plus Atishu and Hinged the others, who had an easy time behind the placings in the 900m heat won by Tropical Squall.

The rising six-year-old won the Winx Stakes last year, and appears likely to kick off in that race again, and claimed the inaugural King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day.

Her last appearance was a third behind Think It Over in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes and Waller said to have her back in such good order is pleasing after she put a scare through the camp.

Joliestar wins a Rosehill trial on July 23

“When it first happened I think her life was in danger. Could have gone either way,’’ he said.

“It’s a remarkable story how she’s recovered.

“She had a nasty injury and it’s great care and attention from our staff and vets that have got her back in work and you can barely see a blemish.

“You have no idea how well they have done to get her back.”

All the results and replays from Tuesday's Rosehill trials