Time has a way of shaping champions, and for Air Assault, it seems the years have finally brought the gelding into his prime. The nine-time winner from 33 starts now finds himself on the cusp of surpassing $1 million in career prize money, a milestone that could be reached should he capture the Listed Ballarat Cup this Saturday.
Trainer Andrew Gluyas has seen the transformation firsthand. He believes the horse has finally matured into a genuine racehorse after earlier seasons in which he often tried to do everything too quickly. “He’s now matured into himself. In previous preps, he had that tendency to run hard on the pace, and it was more about him, rather than us being able to hold him up. He’s shown that tendency now to be a bit more settled in his races,” Gluyas said, reflecting on Air Assault’s growth and development over the years.
Air Assault will contest the 2000-metre Ballarat Cup for the second consecutive year. Last year, he finished seventh behind Berkeley Square, demonstrating potential but falling short of a finish that would have elevated him into the winner’s circle. While he has yet to secure a victory beyond 1800 metres, the gelding has proven he can handle the distance with two placings from three attempts at 2000 metres, and a notable Group 1 placing in the South Australian Derby over 2500 metres.
“He ran well in the Vase (at Moonee Valley) as a three-year-old and he’s been placed at Group 1 level, so he has the capacity to run a good 2000 metres, no doubt,” Gluyas explained. This confidence in Air Assault’s stamina underscores the horse’s versatility and his ability to adapt as he matures, turning into a more strategic competitor on the track.
The approach to this year’s Ballarat Cup has been deliberately more measured than last year. While the Cranbourne Cup once again served as the key lead-in event, the build-up was lighter, allowing Air Assault to conserve energy and focus on peak performance. In last year’s Cranbourne Cup, he chased home Globe, whereas this year he finished sixth after encountering traffic issues that disrupted his rhythm.
Despite the setback, Air Assault entered Cranbourne in excellent form, having already secured victories in the Gawler Cup (1500m) and the Listed John Letts Stakes (1600m). “He came out of our carnival in the winter and had one more start at Sandown and then we gave him a good break,” Gluyas said. “That was always the plan, to give him a good break and hope to have him peaking at the backend of spring. He came up well, his second and third-up runs here (Adelaide) were great and he did race well, I thought, at Cranbourne, although he had to race in an awkward position and subsequently lost his position, but he still hit the line quite well.”
This careful management reflects Gluyas’ understanding of the horse’s temperament and the importance of timing in horse racing. Unlike his earlier years when Air Assault tended to charge ahead too aggressively, the gelding now exhibits a more controlled approach, giving him an edge in longer-distance contests.
Looking ahead, the Ballarat Cup is not the end of Air Assault’s plans for the year. After the race, he will be given a period to freshen up before embarking on an autumn campaign targeting Adelaide’s prestigious April–May carnival. Additionally, another spring campaign is already being considered, suggesting that Air Assault’s team sees continued opportunity for success in the months ahead.
“He’s been a fantastic horse and has taken us on a good ride,” Gluyas said. His words underline the strong bond between trainer and horse, a connection that has been crucial in guiding Air Assault through early inconsistencies to his current status as a seasoned competitor.
For punters and racing enthusiasts, the Ballarat Cup offers not only a chance to see Air Assault in action but also an opportunity to engage with one of Australia’s most competitive spring racing events. Odds are available at the country’s top betting sites, allowing fans to follow the race closely and support their favourites.
Air Assault’s journey from a precocious young gelding with a tendency to sprint ahead prematurely to a disciplined, strategic runner is emblematic of what consistent training, patience, and experience can achieve in thoroughbred racing. His nine wins in 33 starts, combined with notable placings at Group 1 events, speak to a horse whose career trajectory continues upward.
As the Ballarat Cup approaches, the racing community will be watching closely to see if Air Assault can convert his wealth of experience into a milestone victory that brings him across the $1 million prize money threshold. With his proven capacity over distances up to 2500 metres and a more measured racing style, he stands a credible chance of doing just that.
In the world of horse racing, where timing, skill, and strategy intersect, Air Assault’s story serves as a reminder that maturation and perseverance are often as crucial as raw speed. Should he claim victory on Saturday, it will be a testament not only to his natural talent but also to the careful planning and guidance from his trainer, Andrew Gluyas, and his dedicated team.
As Air Assault prepares to make his second assault on the Ballarat Cup, the anticipation is building. Whether he clinches the title or not, his journey highlights the evolution of a gelding who has transformed from a promising but impulsive competitor into a seasoned, strategically astute racehorse, ready to take on the best in Australia’s spring racing calendar.
