Air Max Doubles Up in Guineas

Media Release - Saturday February 2

Talented three-year-old Air Max doubled his winning tally at stakes level when he burst between runners to claim a comfortable victory in the Listed Mediaworks Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui.

Air Max - Wild Range PhotographyThe Nadeem gelding had broken his maiden status when successful in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) on a Slow8 surface last month in stunning fashion when producing a slashing finish to power over the top of his age-group rivals.

Trainer Lance Robinson had been pleased with how his charge had improved since his Gore victory as he weighed up his chances before the race.

"He has come on since that race," he said.

"He got back the other day, only because he got checked early in the race, but with a good draw I can't see why he can't get a good run behind the speed and then find the line."

Robinson could hardly have written a better script as the race panned out virtually as he described it.

Given a good run in mid-field by rider Terry Moseley, Air Max lobbed along nicely before moving into contention with 600m to run. Things started to get a bit dicey early in the run home, with a wall of horses in front of him, however once Moseley angled his charge into the clear Air Max hit top-gear in a few big bounds as he dashed clear to defeat Upscale with Highly Unlikely in third.

Advertisement

"I'm just so pleased to see him do that as I've always said he's better on top of the ground," Robinson said.

"My only concern was when I saw him start to get hemmed in approaching the straight.

"Terry said to me afterwards that he was getting into trouble from as far out as the 900m mark but when he got him into the clear he just went whoosh."

Robinson will now let the dust settle on the performance before making any further plans for his charge. He will take a similar approach with stablemate Khimar War who found himself in trouble in running for the second consecutive start before finishing off well in behind the place-getters. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Friday morning featured a couple of juvenile heats and both winners came out of the Widden Stud draft at Magic Millions with one topping the sale at $2.8million and the other selling for a modest $150,000.
Coolmore Favs get the Flemington Straight Experience in Jump Outs
Beiwacht, Beadman and Skyhook, three of the top four in the market for next month’s Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes had a jump out down the Flemington straight on Friday with Beadman quite the eye-catcher.
Half-Brother to New SW Air Max to Sell at Karaka
Riccarton visitor Air Max upset some well-fancied rivals when he flashed home late to capture the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m) on Saturday.
Winning Treble Boosts Nadeem
Nadeem’s reputation as a highly consistent sire of winners received further reinforcement with a winning double and a second place-getter from his three Australian starters on Friday, followed by another winner on Saturday.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Juvenile Stakes-Winner for Nadeem
Unbeaten youngster Sir Nate has earned himself a break ahead of his major summer target.