3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Streets of Avalon claims the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Race Result:
1st: Streets Of Avalon (Z Spain/S Nichols) - $4.80
2nd: Viridine (D Oliver/J Cummings) - $1.75F
3rd: Tavisan (J Kah/M Price & M Kent Jnr) - $5
Winning Time: 1:10.06 Last 600m: 33.55
Margins: 1¾L x Short Neck
Viridine got going late but Streets Of Avalon was too good winning first-up for the first time ever in the G2 Australia Stakes. @lil_spaino96 @shanenicholsrac @TheValley
— Racing.com (@Racing) January 22, 2021
Winning Trainer: Shane NicholsShane Nichols
"He's unbelievable. He's a six-year-old, he's had 53 goes. We were a bit worried that he had a few soft tissue things. He was a bit stiff and not a fluent as what he has been. When the adrenalin kicks in he can really find the line.
"A lot of credit has to go to the team - not just the staff, the vet the farrier, all of them. Without them looking after him, I take the accolades, but to have a horse like him that's had 53 runs, last prep we didn't win, to win a Group 2 first-up today, it's a real soft place (spot) for me that one."
On the run: "I thought for the whole way he was going to be really hard to beat. He just landed in a perfect spot, I thought the tempo was really good. Once I saw Viridine come off the bridle I thought 'just enjoy this moment' because it doesn't happen that often. To win a Group 2 here, it's great."
On the horse: "He took a while to win his maiden and then at three he struggled. But as a four-year-old, and that's been the unique thing with him, he's improved from three to four, he's improved from four to five, and then, who knows, maybe he's improved from five to six.
"It's not often that can happen but that's been the unique ability of this horse."
2021 better than 2020: "So far so good. It's been alright. We were up at the Gold Coast last week and bought a heap of yearlings. That might help get a few sold."
Zac Spain: "Credit to Phil Warren, he was happy to Zac on. Zac has done a bit of work on the horse. I think that's Zac's first Group 2 win. He's had a stakes win as an apprentice on this horse in the Hareeba. He's got a soft spot for him. He gave him a good pat before the race. I'd say he's got a lot of time for this horse and good on Zac."
What's next: "I'd say we'll go and defend the Futurity. I don't think we'll run before that but we'll nurse him though it to the Futurity and have another crack.
Had he lost faith after last prep: "Never. We badly and got bad tracks. The Feehan here was very good. We ran in the Cantala when we probably shouldn't have. Got to the end of the prep and at Sandown he'd had enough. The remarkable thing about today is that he only really had about three weeks off and then he's had to come here and front up.
"They're like old footballers, they just wear out. You don't get a supreme product from five to six to seven (years of age). To not win last prep and to come here and win first-up is great. It's thrilling."
Winning Jockey: Zac Spain
"Credit has to go Shane and the whole ownership group. They've been extremely loyal to me and to get back on him and to get back on him at the start of his prep, there probably were people who had doubts with him from his spring campaign but he's come back in terrific order and he's loves it around The Valley.
On the run: "Tavisan jumped a bit better than me so I just wanted to make him work a little bit to cross me but once I sat outside him I wanted to put the pressure on early. I know how tough he is and once he balanced up I thought something will have to be pretty good to come up and beat him."
On a Group 2 win: "It's a thrill. Racing is all about opportunities and when you get them you have to grab them with both hands."
