Andrew Gluyas makes big call on Air Assault ahead of Ballarat Cup strike

This preparation could be the making of SA stayer Air Assault which can end on a high in the Ballarat Cup on Saturday.

South Australian raider Air Assault is primed to strike in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday with regular jockey Jason Holder back aboard.

Trainer Andrew Gluyas said the “stayer of the future” has continued to thrive deep in the campaign and forced the aggressive placement in competitive races.

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“The way he has presented the last fortnight between runs, I know he’s travelled, but he’s given every indication he’s himself so it’s just a matter of him turning up in these sort of races now,” Gluyas said.

“It’s where he’s at, just his turn to grow up, with his rating he gets in well in these races and it’s a good opportunity for him.”

Runner-up Air Assault dug deep last start in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) but could not quite bridge the gap to Globe, an $8.50 third favourite with Ladbrokes on Saturday.

“Once he got himself reorganised (around the tight turn) he was strong to the line which is one of his attributes this preparation,” Gluyas said.

Air Assault is a $9.50 chance with the bookmaker behind Poison Chalice ($4.60), Future History ($6) and Berkeley Square ($9).

“No problem in terms of the 2000m (on Saturday), he’s probably a stayer of the future once we get through this preparation, I don’t think there’s a doubt about that,” Gluyas said.

“The bigger track at Ballarat should suit him a treat, given he’s drawn well as well, Jason can dictate what he wants to do with him, rather than have the barrier dictate that.”

Air Assault (red cap) finishing second behind Globe in the Cranbourne Cup last start. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

In a sure sign of intent, Holder has forgone rides in Adelaide on Saturday to pilot Air Assault in the Ballarat Cup.

“It’s always competitive, you look at what you’re missing versus what you might be getting and that’s always something that needs to be considered,” Gluyas said.

“Jason, he always honours the local racing here, I think he just saw a nice opportunity with a horse in form and he’s got a great association with the horse, it’s excellent.

“He’s won exclusively on him and his relationship with the horse is wonderful really. When he had that chance this time he jumped at it, which is great.”

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Holder has ridden Air Assault in 15 of 23 starts for all seven wins including six black-type races.

Air Assault will get a decent break after Saturday with Gluyas and connections to mull a potentially lucrative 2025 campaign.

“(The) 2000m suits him, no doubt about that, and perhaps in the future we’ll give him the opportunity to stay,” Gluyas said.

“See where we are with that, but saying that, he’s a good miler … he’s only four and he’s a horse that can sustain (his gallops).

“He can give himself every advantage putting himself in races and sustain … it’s an interesting profile and a profile we’re very interested to see what happens with him as a five-year-old.

“We’ll get through Saturday and afford him a nice break, perhaps he might pop up in May. There are some races there we could prep him up for, perhaps we have a light winter and resume for spring.”

Originally published as Andrew Gluyas makes big call on Air Assault ahead of Ballarat Cup strike