Having placed in her first two starts, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained Street Lark (Castelvecchio) appeared to appreciate the step up to the 1500m of Wednesday’s Sportsbet Get On Extra Plate at Caulfield to break her maiden with a promising performance..
A half-sister to Listed Bel Esprit Stakes winner Office Bearer (Officer), who was also trained by Moody, Street Lark started the race favourite and after a good jump from the barriers, settled on the outside of her main danger, Ciaron Maher’s imported Curlin mare Jillaroo (USA).
In the showery condition, jockey Blake Shinn was content to travel just off Jillaroo, and once the home turn was reached, he asked his mount for an effort.
With the leading pair still going neck and neck at the 200m mark, Street Lark extended when it mattered, pulling away to win by a length from Jillaroo with her stablemate Mini Angel (National Defense) a further two lengths back in third.
"Really pleasing to see her get her maiden out of the way, she's had a couple of nice runs under her belt," Coleman said.
"Really good to get a win for connections as well, the Esplin family. They've been very patient with her, so nice to reward.
"She got a chance to build her revs and get a bit of momentum there as well. Also just having the race experience and that fitness on her side was really beneficial for her today."
With her sire already producing a Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) in Aeliana and Group 1 Champion Stakes (2000m) winner in El Castello, one would expect Street Lark to get further than 1500m.
"She's taken a little while to get here, but I still think she's got progression to come," Coleman said.
"The way she hit the line then and the way that she's bred, you think she probably gets a little bit further.
"We'll see how she comes through it and let her guide us, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to keeping her going with this weather … she probably is a horse that will appreciate the sting out of the ground."
Bred by Esplin Family, D&M Esplin Pty Ltd and Ms Rush Pty Ltd and retained to race after failing to meet her yearling price reserve, Street Lark is winner number eight from nine to race for Street Cry mare Street 'em Sheila who foaled a full brother to Street Lark in 2023 before unfortunately passing away.
The sire of 30 individual winners highlighted by by seven individual stakes performers, Castelvecchio will stand the upcoming breeding season at Arrowfield Stud at a fee of $49,500 (inc. GCT).
