Air Assault aiming for Toorak Handicap after Saturday’s run at Morphettville

Andrew Gluyas has his eyes firmly set on the Toorak Handicap next month with Air Assault after the gelding’s final lead-up run at Morphettville on Saturday.

Andrew Gluyas has his eyes firmly set on the Toorak Handicap with Balaklava Cup winner Air Assault, as the trainer prepares the gelding for a final lead-up run at Morphettville on Saturday.

Air Assault will take on an Open Handicap over 1550m, where he is a short-priced $1.90 favourite with TAB fixed odds, but the trainer did entertain the idea of tackling the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on Friday night.

Air Assault was one of six horses that elected not to accept for the Feehan Stakes, with champion gallopers Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside set for another titanic tussle.

“We were just aware of him (Air Assault) starting up over there at weight-for-age, and then when those two horses Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside went into it, we were going to accept, but it’s a bit out of our league at the moment,” Gluyas said.

“Thankfully we have the Open Handicap which gave him an option (back home). It (Feehan) looked too strong, although it was light in numbers it looked pretty pointy.”

A magnificent Air Assault wins the Balaklava Cup! 🏆

Jason Holder goes all the way aboard the 4YO to win the race for Andrew Gluyas 💪 pic.twitter.com/2AOeIy1s0q

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 11, 2024

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The son of Justify produced a gritty performance to notch a fifth stakes win in the Balaklava Cup earlier this month, and all roads now lead to the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.

“He came through it (Balaklava) particularly well, I’m quite happy with the way he pulled up from it, it looks like he’s in a good place,” he said.

“The (Toorak) Handicap conditions over a mile would suit him well, that’s been the goal, that became a little more realistic after his win at Balaklava, you have to bare in mind that day it was favouring those horses up on the pace, so you have to be realistic about that form.

“He’s a five-time stakes winner now, so he deserves his chance, it might be raising the bar a touch too high for him, but we’ll see how he goes Saturday and hopefully go that way.”

With an unbeaten record from three starts over the mile, Gluyas hasn’t ruled out stepping the gelding out in trip later on this preparation.

Air Assault is Group 1 placed over 2500m, finishing third in the South Australian Derby in May.

Air Assault winning the Balaklava Cup earlier this month. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

“The first part of his preparation, the mile suits him and I’ve sort of trained him that way, and I’m sure through the back-end of the preparation perhaps a little more ground might be suitable as well, there will lots of options for him I’m sure,” he said.

Talented Tasmanian apprentice Taylor Johnstone is booked for her first race ride on Air Assault, who has drawn barrier 11.

The gelding was allotted 60kg, but comes in at 57kg with Johnstone’s 3kg claim.

Johnstone is currently on 98 career wins, and has a book of five rides on Saturday’s nine-race card.

“It’s a good opportunity for her,” Gluyas said.

“She’s going quite well, she seems to be riding a winner a meeting, she’s found herself in form and I’m excited for her to be riding Air Assault on Saturday.

“She’s transitioned into our riding ranks quite well.”

Originally published as Air Assault aiming for Toorak Handicap after Saturday’s run at Morphettville