Trainer Trevor Andrews was singing the praises of Street Band and backed his colt to reach Ascot carnival status after an impressive return victory on Saturday.
Leaving Areduet in his wake, Street Band closed strongly to win the Morley Market Growers Plate (1000m) by 1 ¼ lengths with Lucky I Am fading to third place.
Resuming after a 12-week spell in style and defying a betting drift, Street Band, with Jarrad Noske in the saddle, launched a big run in the final 200m to break his maiden status.
Claiming his first success from five starts, Street Band showed encouraging signs for Trevor Andrews when runner-up twice behind speedy sprinter Sinful Living.
“He’s a nice horse going forward,” Andrews said on Tabradio.
“He’s a really good style of horse.
“He ran the second fastest 600m of the day on Saturday, he’s got a sharp turn of foot, 33 and change he runs, that’s the sort of horse you need in those better races.
“There’s no reason why not.”
Street Band’s first win has cracked through the $100,000 earnings barrier.
He was sent out a $6 chance with Tabtouch after opening the $3.60 favourite with online betting sites.
Andrews was confident going into the race with his only concern the distance.
“All of his runs have been quite pleasing,” Andrews said.
“All of them he has run through the line strongly, suggesting he’ll appreciate a bit more than the 1000m.
“He came through the trial well and galloped super on the grass at Ascot on Tuesday.
“The horse had done nothing wrong and there wasn’t any reason to be negative on him.
“What he did have on a lot of his rivals was race experience and you can’t buy that.
“I was very happy with the horse going into Saturday’s race, bearing in mind I thought the trip might be a little sharp for him.
“Anyway, he got the job done and is a nice horse going forward.”
Street Band will start next on June 1 over 1200m, Andrews preferring that option than a 1000m event in two weeks.
“I want to stretch him out over a bit further,” Andrews said.
“Probably three or four runs this time around and then another holiday.
“Jarrad’s always had an opinion that he’ll be a real nice three-year-old.
“Looking forward to stretching him out to 1400m and a bit further.”
