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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy says Group 1 winning mare Joliestar’s performance in the TAB Everest has to earn her the right to be considered the leading local hope in Saturday’s $10m James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.

The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old produced the fastest last 200m of the Everest, running 11.32 (Punter’s Intelligence) into seventh place just 1-1/2 lengths behind Bella Nipotina.

It was her fourth consecutive start at 1200m and McEvoy said the run was a pointer that she’s crying out for further than the sprint course.

“She’s a quality mare, we’ve seen her at a high level a number of times and she deserves to be near the top of the market,’’ McEvoy said.

“It was a great run in the Everest which has got to be one of the strongest form lines.

“She’s a mile Group 1 winner and I’m pretty excited to be on the back of her.

“I think her run the other day showed she is going to enjoy a bit further, her best work was the last furlong, and 1500m around Rosehill after her good Everest run is perfect.”

Waller won the inaugural Golden Eagle with Kolding and his star mare Fangirl was narrowly beaten by I Wish I Win in 2022.

Joliestar's run in the TAB Everest

Joliestar, $5.50 with TAB on Friday, has the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation as her charity partner with 10 per cent of the prizemoney she earns in the Golden Eagle donated.

McEvoy said it’s important in such a large field to have a favour or two in the run and feels from a middle barrier that Joliestar will have a good chance to get the passage she needs.

“The draw looks fine, it’s a big field so you’re going to need a lot of luck in running as you do in any Group 1 race,’’ he said.

“She can be midfield or a little bit closer where some of her dangers in the market have drawn outside her.

“Whoever gets the best run in transit will be very hard to beat.”

In the history of the Golden Eagle to date, the Toorak Handicap has proven a handy guide and trainer Trent Busuttin hopes it stands up in 2024 with his import Craig.

While he was beaten six lengths by Antino, Craig finished runner-up in the Toorak and that’s been the path followed by both Victorian trained Golden Eagle winners I’m Thunderstruck (2021) and I Wish I Win (2022).

Busuttin, who co-trains with Natalie Young, wanted a soft draw for Craig and got his wish with barrier five and he said that gives Nash Rawiller plenty of options.

“I think he can run very well, a good barrier draw is imperative,’’ he said.

“I think he has a big race in him, whether it is this race or not, I think he’s a genuine Group 1 horse as he showed the other day so hopefully he can get the breaks.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Golden Eagle meeting at Rosehill