Spain lands first group 1 as Streets of Avalon delivers dream twist

Just when you get used to wealthy owners and leading jockeys and trainers monopolising the biggest races, racing delivers a twist in the tale: it is part of the game’s essential fascination, and the storyline delivered a dream twist at Caulfield in the first group 1 race of the year, the CF Orr Stakes, on Saturday .

A young man who had never succeeded at the highest level combined with a trainer who has recovered from a heart attack to land the spoils aboard a grizzled veteran whose greatest attribute is not his ability – considerable though that is – but his fighting spirit.

Zac Spain, the rider in question, loves Streets of Avalon, the galloper who stole the show when he showed too much toughness for Imaging, who looked as though he was about to head him in the drive to the line only to be muscled out in the closing stages.

Jockey Zac Spain rides Streets of Avalon to the win. Credit:Getty Images

The gelding gave Spain his first ever win in a listed race and also his first win in a group 2 contest. Now they have landed a group 1 together, Spain’s first and the horse’s second following his upset win in the Futurity Stakes last year.

The big disappointment of the race was the Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet, who was never in the contest: there had been a lot of discussion during the afternoon as to whether firming ground would see Ciaron Maher and David Eustace withdraw him, but they elected to give him his chance.

“He’s been such a super horse, career changing for me,” his young rider declared. “To repay the owners for having faith in me with a group 1 is fantastic.“

Nichols joked that during the run “the heart was racing, I gave it a test and it came through with flying colours”.

Trainer Shane Nichols with Streets of Avalon. Credit:Getty Images

Caulfield in early February is a fork in the road meeting, particularly for the leading two-year-olds trying to stake a claim for a place in the field for the $1.5 million Blue Diamond later this month.

For Godolphin, owner of fillies Prelude winner Arcaded, the decision is simple: she will be targeted at Victoria’s richest two-year-old contest having proved far too good for her rivals in this warm-up, with jockey Damian Lane suggesting she had shown improvement on her three-length debut win.

In the colts and geldings division 35 minutes later, it was an altogether tighter affair, with the Ellerton/Zahra prepared General Beau responding well to the urging of leading jockey Jamie Kah to deny the late challenge of the Damien Oliver partnered Anamoe, who came within a whisker of giving Godolphin a two-yea- old double.

General Beau would be a clear chance were he to turn up at Caulfield in a fortnight’s time, but connections will have to pay a $55,000 late entry fee as he was not entered into the race as a youngster.

It is a gamble, but if he can succeed he will pick up a huge prize, earn group 1 status and as a fast son of another top class sprinter in Brazen Beau, he would have his future at stud all but assured.

“That’s a decision to be made because we’ve got to pay a late entry fee. We’ll have that conversation during the week and see how he pulls up,” Matthew Ellerton said post-race.

Kah is confident General Beau will be in at the sharp end in the Diamond – should he run there.

“He just needs pace because he’s got so much left and he was just idling and pricking his ears. I’d love for them to push on to the Diamond. I think they’ll get what they need, they’ll get some pace and I think he’ll be a different horse chasing,” Kah said.

Sean Keogh, Godolphin’s representative, says it is now all systems go for Arcading. “Two starts, two wins now. She’s attacked the line like a really good filly. There’s no doubts in our minds at the moment.”

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