A third chance for Bletchingly success

Third time lucky?

Mornington trainer Shane Nichols certainly hopes that is the case for dual Group 1 winner Streets Of Avalon in Saturday’s Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.

The rising eight-year-old iron horse, who matched motors with Zaaki, I’m Thunderstruck and Ayrton last campaign, has run second first-up in the Bletchingly the past two years.

Despite an elite record, including Group 1 Futurity and CF Orr Stakes wins, Streets Of Avalon is $6.50 with TAB on Saturday, behind Mileva ($4.60), King Of Sparta ($5.50) and Oxley Road ($6).

“He’s going to need it but it’s a nice kick-off point and I think he’s going reasonably well,” Nicholls said.

“Admittedly, he’s rising eight but his form reads second to Ayrton (at 1400m) and third to Zaaki and I’m Thunderstruck in the $5m All Star Mile.

“He rates 108 and next closest in the race is 102 (Scallopini, $9.50), there’s a distinct advantage there for him but he will need the outing.”

Streets Of Avalon is clearly the best credentialled of 10 Bletchingly acceptors, although emerging sprinters Oxley Road (100 rater) and King Of Sparta (92) could be future Group 1 winners-inwaiting.

Country jockey Jack Hill has picked up the ride on Streets Of Avalon.

“One of the owners knows Jack quite well and has had a bit of success with him … (regular jockey) Zac Spain is in America, he (Streets Of Avalon) needed a seatwarmer for a run,” Nicholls said.

“He’ll ride him fine, he’s not a hard horse to ride.”

Streets Of Avalon has drawn ideally in barrier three to roll forward as usual and keep the speed “honest”.

The $2.4m earner has recovered fully from a bout of travel sickness last May.

Streets Of Avalon was set to run in the inaugural The Archer in Rockhampton but the long trip north – including stops in Sydney and Brisbane – took a toll on the gelding.

“That third leg (Brisbane to Rockhampton) took the wheels off him,” Nicholls said.

“I could’ve run him and he would’ve failed or pulled up ordinary, so we elected to scratch.”

After Saturday, Nicholls has Streets Of Avalon aimed at the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) before looking any further.

“All we try to do with him is be a run ahead of the others,” Nicholls said.

“It (Bletchingly) will top him off nicely, so he’s ready to go Lawrence day and Memsie day, if we get anything out of the Bletchingly it’s a bonus.

“It doesn’t get any easier when we get to the Lawrence or the Memsie.

“I would expect, if I’ve got him fit enough and the deck is OK, he’ll run pretty well (Saturday).”