Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Ridden by Jason Holder, the son of Justify (USA) swept home to win by two lengths taking his overall record to seven wins, a second and four thirds from 22 starts, with earnings in excess of $642,000
Bred by The Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust, Air Assault was passed in short of his $100,000 reserve when consigned by Stonehouse Thoroughbreds to the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Raised at Mill Park as was Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru, he is a half-brother to Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Go Indy Go, Group III winner Essay Raider, and Group III placed Battle Brewing. He is the third stakes-winner among seven winners from eight to race for the outstanding producer Elegant Eagle, who was pensioned in 2023.
A winning daughter of champion sire Zabeel, Elegant Eagle is a sister to the dam of Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed from the family of Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha.
Southern Speed is at stud in Japan and is the dam of the promising three-year-old Cosmo Kuranda, winner of the Group II Nakayama Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen and runner-up in the Group I Satsuki Sho.
