Streets Of Avalon lands Futurity Stakes at Caulfield
Sun Stud sire Magnus (Flying Spur) was represented by his fourth Group 1 winner on Saturday when Streets Of Avalon (5 g ex Kamuniak by Black Minnaloushe) won the Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield.
Trained by Shane Nichols, Streets Of Avalon narrowly defeated the favourite Super Seth (Dundeel) by a short-neck with Melody Belle (Commands) another two and a quarter lengths back in third.
"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."
Winner of the Moonga Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) last October, Streets Of Avalon has now won eight of his 43 starts and been placed a further 17 times for earnings of $1,159,210.
He is out of the unplaced mare Kamuniak (Black Minnaloushe) who has also produced the winning gelding The Mad Hatter (Bushranger).
Kamuniak is a sister to dual Group 1 winner Jokers Wild and six other winners. Further back this is the family of Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) winner Catnipped (Rory's Jester), Reward For Effort (Exceed And Excel) and Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel).
Kamuniak was covered again last September by Magnus having missed to him the year prior. She has a yearling by Starspangledbanner (Choisir) and a two-year-old by Magnus.
Magnus has five lots catalogued for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale next month.
