Streets Of Avalon You Magnificent Old Warrior

Mark Smith - Saturday February 6

While WS Cox Plate hero Sir Dragonet (IRE) was never a factor in Saturday's $500,000 Group 1 Neds CF Orr Stakes (1400m), the Shane Nichols-trained Streets Of Avalon was ready to add another chapter to his storied career.

Zac Spain shows his joy in winning his first Group 1 (Grant Courtney)

When the Oasis Dream gelding Imagining (GB) levelled up in the straight, it looked as if Craig Willaims had timed his run to perfection on the import. But It is one thing to draw level with Streets Of Avalon and another to pass him.

Advertisement

With a couple of backhanders from Zac Spain, the son of Magnus asserted his superiority to draw clear by a half-length. The 3yo Smart Missile gelding Crosshaven a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

It was the second Group 1 for the 6yo son of Magnus after the MRC Futurity Stakes and the first for his young rider.

Street Of Avalon's sixth stakes success advanced his record to ten wins, nine seconds and nine thirds from 54 starts with earnings of $1,701,700.

It has been a remarkable rise to the top for a horse that finished sixth of nine at his first run at Bendigo and took seven starts before breaking his maiden at Bairnsdale.

Winning trainer Shane Nichols reflected on his own close shave with death after suffering a heart attack last year.

"He gave my heart a test out, but it came through with flying colours. I don't know if mine works quite as good as his," Nichols said.  

"When Imagining came at him I thought we are in a bit of strife here. But he found and came again and was holding the other horse on the line.

"It was a remarkable performance by a tough horse.

"I am in admiration of this horse. He is a warrior. For a horse that has had as many runs as he has, to be still fronting up and winning Group 1s is remarkable.

"Credit to (owner) Phil Warren. He has no qualms in putting Zac on. He has done a good job on him. I think he has won six now and his first Group 1 is the story."

Street Of Avalon (Grant Courtney)

 A homebred for Warren Racing, Streets Of Avalon is the best of three winners from five to race out of the Black Minnaloushe mare Kamuniak, a $75,000 yearling purchase the 2009 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

Kamuniak is a sister to the Champion 2YO in NZ in 2005-06, Joker Wild who numbered the Group 1 ARC Diamond Stakes and Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes among his seven wins.

Sun Stud's Magnus has two catalogued for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and 18 at the Premier Yearling Sale.

Advertisment

Race Result - Neds C.F. Orr Stakes Gr1 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.62
1
Streets Of Avalon
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Kamuniak (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: Zac Spain 59
Magnus
2
0.5
Imaging
- 6g Oasis Dream (GB) x Mirror Lake (GB) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 59
3
2.8
Crosshaven
- 3g Smart Missile (AUS) x Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55.5
Smart Missile
4
5.5
Humidor
- 8g Teofilo (IRE) x Zalika (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damian Lane 59
5
5.6
Blazejowski
- 6g Dash For Cash (AUS) x Ellexcell (AUS) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: M Zahra 59
6
5.9
Angel Of Truth
- 5g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Scarletini (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 59
7
9.9
Sir Dragonet
- 5h Camelot (GB) x Sparrow (IRE) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: G Boss 59
8
10.9
Sovereign Award
- 5m Shamus Award (AUS) x Sovereign Charm (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Oliver 57
9
14.4
Arcadia Prince
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Arcadia (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Amy McDonald Rdr: Jordan Childs 59
More Reading...
G1 Melbourne Goal for Alabama Lass
Trainer Ken Kelso was wearing a wide smile as he left Te Rapa racecourse on Saturday afternoon after witnessing his two stable stars provide him with suitable evidence they are both on target to kick off their Spring campaigns in fine fashion.
First Stakes-Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Back at Coolmore Australia this spring for his fourth season, 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark‘s Basilica (Fr) is on the board with his first stakes-winner after Thesecretadversary rolled the favourite to win the Listed Churchill Stakes (7 ½ f) at Tipperary overnight.
Above the Clouds Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning.
All So Easy for Streets Of Avalon in Australia Stakes
It took eight preparations for Streets Of Avalon to win first up, and the six-year-old son of Magnus chose the right spot to do it in Friday nights Group II Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.
One to Watch – Geelong
Team Hawkes were the guiding force behind the racing career of Group I ATC Doncaster Mile winner Brutal and have also prepared his first Group I winner as a sire in Nepotism and they unleashed a debut winner by him at Geelong on Friday.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 8
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Breeders Paradise - Inglis Digital August (early) Online
An abundance of high-quality broodmares – many in foal to some of the hottest young stallions in the Southern Hemisphere – and broodmare prospects headline a “breeders’ paradise’’ in the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale.
Ozzmosis First Born is Feeling Frisky!
Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis was in demand at Newgate last spring covering 192 mares and his first born foal that arrived on July 31 at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds is the source of great pride for owners Ian and Cathy Mathieson.