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...
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.
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
G2 Winner for Hello Youmzain
Due back at Cambridge Stud this spring Hello Youmzain (FR) had a great result in France overnight where his progressive three year-old filly Godspeed won the Group II Prix de Sandringham (1600m) at the French Derby meeting at Chantilly.
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.