A change of tactics brought about by the disappointment of defeat has led to Street Icon lining up for a Group One assignment in Adelaide.
Trainer Kevin Corstens was left scratching his head after the mare finished a weakening seventh in a Group Three race in Hobart in February.
Corstens decided to change Street Icon’s style to get her to settle further back, leading to the mare winning at Sandown and recording two seconds from her past three starts.
Street Icon’s latest effort, a fast-closing second to Vainstream over 1200m at Caulfield on April 18, prompted Corstens to chase the Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
“There were Group races in mind for her towards the end of the autumn and I was hoping to take her up to Queensland, but that wasn’t going to be at all easy,” Corstens said.
“Plus I know a lot more people in South Australia, so Adelaide won out.”
Corstens said Street Icon was unlucky at Caulfield, coming from last under apprentice Thomas Stockdale.
As was the practice in her previous two starts, Street Icon was steadied soon after the start to settle rearwards.
“She should have nearly won the race owing to the fact when Tom snagged her she over-reacted and went right out the back,” Corstens said.
“And when you’re racing against horses like Pippie that scoot along, she gave them too much start.”
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Corstens cannot enter South Australia without first undergoing two weeks isolation.
He is instead sending Street Icon to long-time family friend David Aldridge at Murray Bridge.
Corstens has engaged Ryan Hurdle for Saturday’s ride with the jockey in the top 10 on both the metropolitan and country jockeys’ premierships.
And Corstens will not be put off by any significant change in track conditions, declaring Street Icon fit and ready to run.
“I tried Jason Holder, who has ridden a lot of winners for me, but he was committed with Godolphin,” Corstens said.
“Ryan is riding really well and I spoke to his manager the day we raced at Caulfield to book him and when I was able to book a jockey, that made up my mind to take her.
“We’re going there to race, rain, hail or shine.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au