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.

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...
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
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.