HORSE RACING

SHANE Nichols’ dual Group 1 winner Streets of Avalon won’t defend his Orr Stakes title this Saturday at Caulfield.

The highest earning son of Magnus made a sound return when running fifth first-up in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago, but Mornington-based trainer Shane Nichols said he wasn’t entirely happy with the results of the gelding’s recent blood tests.

Nichols said he’s happy to wait a week before making a decision on where to head next.

“It was a good return but he didn’t handle the soft track, he needs it fairly firm,” Nichols said. “He got a bit further back than what we would’ve wanted but he ran home well.

“He came back with a bit of a bad blood so will wait until early next week and will decide what to do next.” 

Streets of Avalon is still nominated for the $5million All-Star Mile (1600m) in March and currently holds 252 votes. He has contested the richest mile race in the world the last two years, with his best result finishing 7th last year with minimal luck.

First published in the Mornington News – 8 February 2022