A pain-free Streets Away came to Sydney as a travel companion but could return home with an extra $42,000 for his connections if he brings his best form to Rosehill on Saturday.
Streets Away has been injury-plagued throughout his career but has come back in fine order this preparation with two wins from as many starts in Brisbane last month.
The five-year-old, who was a one-time Golden Slipper fancy in early 2009, shoots for his third win in a row in Saturday’s Flinders Lane Perfect Fit Shirt Handicap (1900m).
Trainer Alan Bailey said the Sydney race came about because of a lack of suitable options for Streets Away in Queensland.
“This was just a suitable race for him and there was nothing at home for him,” Bailey said.
“He’ll probably go back home after this run. There were no races at home for him and I was bringing the filly Epona Princess down to run last week so I thought I’d send him down with her too.”
Epona Princess finished fourth to Ingham Magic last weekend at Randwick and is also entered for Saturday’s Bacardi Handicap (1400m).
Streets Away was being aimed at the Golden Slipper in 2009 but was struck down by a bout of colic which put paid to his hopes of competing that autumn.
He has since had various injury issues which Bailey has had to manage.
“He has a lot of problems but at the moment he’s pain-free and pretty spot-on,” Bailey said.
Streets Away won over 2000m at his only appearance at Rosehill 11 months ago and the Gold Coast trainer is expecting another competitive showing on Saturday.
However he rates the Lloyd Williams-owned Fawkner, who is the $2.30 favourite, as hard to beat.
“It’s probably a higher-class race than what you would usually get with that horse of Lloyd Williams in it,” Bailey said.
“It’s a fairly good-class field for that sort of benchmark race, but he’ll be competitive.
“He’s always competitive when he’s fit and well, so we’ve just got to hope everything stays the way it is with him between now and Saturday.
“He hasn’t drawn that well (barrier 15) but he usually gets back a bit in his races. If there’s a bit of speed on he can run well. Tempo is probably going to be the key.”
AAP TURF
