Jason Holder dominates with four winners including Balaklava Cup on Air Assault

Gun jockey Jason Holder conducted a riding masterclass on Balaklava Cup day, piloting four winners including the feature race.

Air Assault wins the Balaklava Cup on Wednesday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Gun jockey Jason Holder conducted a riding masterclass on Balaklava Cup Day, piloting four winners including the Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m) aboard Air Assault.

Employing his typical bold frontrunning tactics, Air Assault crossed from the wide gate (14) to lead the field into the home straight, but was quickly challenged by fellow on-speed runner Sir Kingsford and talented stayer Dubai Poet.

Despite being headed, Air Assault dug deep to fight off his rivals, gritting his teeth to score by half a length for a fifth win at stakes level.

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It was a third Balaklava Cup win for Holder, who commended the gelding’s tenacity in the closing stages.

“It’s amazing, this horse just steps up every time, I was beaten three times,” Holder, who had five rides on Wednesday, said.

“When I put one around his backside I could feel him improve, I heard Joey (Bowditch) coming, my old war mate, I said ‘Sorry Joey’ – it was a good win.

It was an emotional win for trainer Andrew Gluyas and connections, namely retired trainer Leon Macdonald.

“He’s a casualty of the win unfortunately, but he’ll be right, he is rapt, it means a lot, this horse means a lot to us on the back of a good three-year-old season,” Gluyas said.

“There were a few queries on him (Air Assault) today perhaps off a poor run over 1400m (last start).

“Credit to Stubby (Holder), he’s on fire today and he loves this horse.”

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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Misfortune struck for connections of Favourite Child, the Cup favourite was scratched behind the barriers prior to the race, capping a forgettable day for star hoop Jamie Kah.

Holder had already demonstrated he had the hot hand earlier in the day, scoring three winners from his first three rides.

The hoop steered promising filly Wild Winner to a gutsy win in the opening race for Andrew Gluyas, before wins on Bush Influence and Everglade.

Fittingly, Holder’s third win saw him continue his unblemished record on Everglade, the hoop has now won three races on the mare from three attempts for Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor.

A brief shower of rain engulfed the Balaklava track in race two, but it didn’t bother Peta’s Heart, the mare broke her maiden in impressive style for Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea under jockey Jessica Eaton.

“She did it quite easily, she was still quite wayward in the straight, she has a lot of learning to do,” Eaton said.

Brooke King guides Bywaters Road to a win on Wednesday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

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It was another successful day at the office for young apprentice Brooke King, the hoop notched her ninth career win aboard Bywaters Road for John Hickmott and Carrina Riggs. 

“I feel like I’m on fire,” a jovial King said.

“I’m trying to crack 10 winners before I’m 18 in 10 weeks, so let’s see how we go.”

More than 3,000 racegoers were on track to watch this year’s Cup in pristine conditions after a passing shower earlier in the day.

Originally published as Jason Holder dominates with four winners including Balaklava Cup on Air Assault