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.
Ridden by Zac Spain, the Shane Nichols-trained gelding travelled sweetly on the outside of Tavistan. Making the turn for home, it was clear that Streets Of Avalon had the measure of the odd-on favourite Viridine who had come off the bit and was making hard work of it.
Streets Of Avalon held Viridine by one and three-quarter lengths with Tavisan a short-neck back in third.
With his fifth stakes win Streets Of Avalon advances his record to nine wins, nine seconds and nine thirds from 53 starts with earnings of $1,399,700.
"He's unbelievable, a six-year-old who has had 53 goes," Nicholls enthused.
"We were a bit worried that he had a few soft tissue issues, and is not as fluent as what he has been. When the adrenaline kicks in he can really find the line.
"A lot of credit goes to the team that looks after this horse.
"I thought all the way he would be hard to beat. He landed in a perfect spot, and the tempo was pretty good. When I saw Viridine come off the bridle, I thought just enjoy this moment because it doesn't happen that often.
"He took a while to win his maiden then at three he struggled. The unique thing with him he improved from three to four, from four to five and who knows from five to six.
"We bought a heap of yearlings at the Gold Coast last week, so hopefully this will get a few sold.
"We will try to defend the (Group 1) Futurity next. I don't think he will run again before that, but we will nurse him through and have another crack."
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.
A three-year-old sister to Streets Of Avalon, Orlando Grove, finished second on debut before breaking her maiden at Sandown at her most recent start on January 6. She could not improve on that record when finishing midfield the valuable Chandler Macleod Vobis Gold Carat later on in the night at Moonee Valley.
Kamuniak hs an unraced 2yo filly by Starspangledbanner named Stormy Mistress After foaling a Magnus colt last spring, Kamuniak was bred back to the Sun Stud stalwart.
