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Second Group One win for son of Magnus

Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) fought off a determined challenge from Imaging (Oasis Dream) to win his second Group 1 race when he landed the C F Orr Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, with the victory the first at that level for 24-year-old jockey Zac Spain.  

The six-year-old scored a half-length victory over the Chris Waller-trained Imaging (Oasis Dream), who raced three wide without cover, with another two and a quarter lengths back to Crosshaven (Smart Missile) in third. 

Winner of the Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) last February for Ben Melham, Streets Of Avalon won the Australia Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) two weeks ago under Spain who described his association with Streets Of Avalon as a career changer.

"I celebrated a bit after the line and was calling out a fair bit," Spain said.

"He's just been a super horse to me. He was my first Listed winner, then Group Two and now a Group One."

Spain said riding in Melbourne was competitive and difficult so he had to make the most of his opportunities.

"I don't ride in town much but when you ride these good horses in town you need to capitalise and to get the job done is fantastic," he said.

Streets Of Avalon's trainer Shane Nichols said the gelding’s managing owner Phil Warren was happy to stick with Spain and he had grasped his opportunity.

"He's done a good job with him, Zac. I think he's (won) six on him now and his first Group One," Nichols said.

"They just need the opportunity and they need to seize them when they get it. He seized it and he got it. Well done."

Nichols expressed his admiration for his six year-old, who has now won 10 races from 54 starts and over $1.7 million in prize money.

"He's a warrior. For a horse that has had as many runs as he's had to still be fronting up winning Group Ones is a remarkable performance," he said.

The disappointment of the race was the $2.70 favourite Sir Dragonet (Camelot) who was never a factor and finished seventh, beaten ten lengths. His jockey Glen Boss said the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained import felt very dour.

"We've learned a valuable lesson today as he's obviously going to be better on soft (ground) but I'm not going to blame the track at all," Boss said.

"The track is in great condition and his action was fine. We just found that he hasn't got the speed to win over seven (furlongs)."

Streets Of Avalon is one of three winners and the only stakes winner out of unplaced mare Kamuniak (Black Minnaloushe) who is a sister to dual Group 1 winner Jokers Wild.