Streets Of Avalon has upset some established stars of Australasian racing in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, justifying his connections decision to run in the Group One weight-for-age race.
On a day when the track was favouring horses up on the pace near the rail, it played to the strengths of the Shane Nichols-trained gelding Streets Of Avalon who led under Ben Melham and rallied strongly to deny Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth ($2.60) by a long head.
New Zealand star Melody Belle was another 2-1/4-lengths away while Epsom Handicap winner Kolding was fifth.
Knowing nominations were only light on numbers and entries would be extended from Monday until Tuesday, Nichols took the extra day before putting a late nomination in for five-year-old Streets Of Avalon.
Streets Of Avalon races well on a seven-day back-up and Nichols felt there was no natural leader in the race.
It panned out as well as he could have hoped.
“We nominated and thought we were a chance to lead,” Nichols said.
“Watching how the day has been panning out, he’s just been in the perfect spot. I thought Super Seth, with less weight than us and stalking us, was a problem, but geez he is tough.
“With 59 kilos to find the line like he did – amazing effort.
“I just assumed that Super Seth was going to get us and then it wasn’t until the last 100 metres I thought, ‘hang on a minute, we’re going pretty good here’.
“I knew he wouldn’t wilt. Bring on the All-Star Mile.”
The winner of the Futurity earns a wildcard into the $5 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield on March 14, which Nichols said they would accept.
“We might as well have a crack for the big cash because his rating is buggered now,” he said.
Streets Of Avalon, who was well supported to start $9.50, was backing up after a close second in a 1400m handicap a week earlier at Flemington and it was clearly his biggest win in 43 starts, while it was a second Group One for Nichols.
Last spring Streets Of Avalon won the Group Three Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on a seven-day back-up and was fourth in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Super Seth’s jockey Mark Zahra felt it was not ideal he had to end up outside the lead.
“We had our chance to run down Streets Of Avalon, but I think he is better when he’s got cover,” Zahra said.
Jockey Opie Bosson said it was a great first-up run from Melody Belle and expects a lot of improvement for the All-Star Mile.
“She should be spot on for next time,” he said.