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.
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."
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.
