Shane Nichols confident Streets Of Avalon can bounce back in Memsie Stakes

Trainer Shane Nichols warns don’t write of dual Group 1 winner Streets Of Avalon in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Streets of Avalon is $19 to win the Memsie Stakes after he was favourite in the PB Lawrence Stakes last start. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Mornington trainer Shane Nichols has warned against dismissing evergreen Streets Of Avalon in Saturday’s Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Dual Group 1 winner Streets Of Avalon performed below market and trainer expectations last start in the Group 2 PB Lawrence due to a minor knee issue, which Nichols has since resolved.

Streets Of Avalon, a $19 chance on Saturday, has five wins and eight minor placings at Caulfield, including Group 1 Futurity and CF Orr stakes victories.

“How a market is formed is always very interesting,” Nichols said.

“We go from $3 favourite and punters are wounded and all of a sudden you’re a $15-20 price.

“All I can say is we have resolved the issue, he’s got a bit wear and tear being an older horse and needs to be looked after a little bit.

“We had a similar situation between the Australia Stakes and he came out and won the CF Orr next start.

“This is a stronger race but I wouldn’t dismiss him.”

Streets of Avalon winning the CF Orr Stakes in February at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos

With reigning Memsie winner Behemoth and fellow South Australian Beau Rossa likely speed influences, Nichols said Streets Of Avalon, a noted leader, could be ridden more conservatively.

“We won’t burn carrots up the hill Saturday,” Nichols said.

“We might tuck in somewhere, but we’ll have a look at the pattern and see how the day unfolds.

“If Beau Rossa wants to control and lead he can, we can ride our horse anyway we want and might take this opportunity to ride with cover.”

Originally published as Shane Nichols confident Streets Of Avalon can bounce back in Memsie Stakes