Street Fightin Man lived up to his name with a gritty performance from the front to score in the Christchurch Casino 29^th South Island Awards – 13 September Open (1200m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday.

A seven-year-old by Pure Champion, Street Fightin Man has found a purple patch of form this winter with two victories and two placings from his past four starts, which placed him second in the market for the open sprint event at $5.30 with Listed winner Epee Beel on top at $2.20.

The big gelding jumped positively from the gates and jockey Kate Hercock swiftly took advantage of his early speed, setting a leisurely tempo in front inside of The Good Shepherd. When the pressure came on, Street Fightin Man found plenty of kick under Hercock and set a challenge for Epee Beel and her stablemate Makabar.

The Pitman pair chased gamely from back in the field and got within touching distance of Street Fightin Man, but he was too tough, pinning his ears back and finding the line to score by a neck to Makabar, with Epee Beel a further neck back in third.

Steven Woodsford prepares Street Fightin Man out of Rangiora and he was thrilled to see the gelding continue his strong recent run of performances.  

“He’s come right, he’s tough and is in a golden run at the moment,” Woodsford said.

“He might line up on the last day now (10 August at Riccarton), we’ll see.

“I told the owners a long time ago I wouldn’t start him during (New Zealand) Cup Week, he’s had his go there and he will be saved for other parts of the season.”

Hercock continued to figure prominently in the riding ranks last season since her return to race-day in 2021, posting 48 winners, and was happy to kick off the new season in similar fashion.

“It was really good, he was a little bit slow away and Amanda (Pascoe) did say he likes to take a sit, but we got a nice soft lead and I thought if I could walk and sprint from the corner, we were away,” she said.

“As soon as I gave him a dig he came under me and just kept fighting all the way up the straight.

“He’s a beautiful ride, you couldn’t get a nicer horse to ride.”

Street Fightin Man has now recorded seven wins from 44 starts and over $148,000 in stakes for his ownership group which includes Woodsford.

He is out of a Thorn Park mare Ruby Tuesday, who also produced Woodsford’s two-win stablemate Aingie, by Darci Brahma.