Victory at the Assault on Balaklava Cup

On Wednesday, Andrew Gluyas achieved something that his father-in-law and long-time training partner Leon Macdonald dreamed of during his dazzling coaching career: he won the Balaklava Cup.

However, the Hall of Fame trainer was denied the iconic piece of silver. He retired in 2023, leaving Gluyas to run the stable that he had built into one of the strongest in South Australia.

One of Macdonald's last stakes wins as a trainer was with Air Assault in the SA Sires' Produce in early 2023 and under Gluyas' tutelage the massive son of Justify has developed into the stable's pin-up horse over the past 12 months.

Air Assault won four stakes races in his third year season, culminating in a Group 1 placing in the SA Derby.

His victory on Wednesday, in which he shot forward from barrier 14 under regular jockey Jason Holder and defied all opponents in a thrilling final furlong, was his first stakes victory in open company.

“It means a lot to us and the horse means a lot to us,” said Gluyas.

“Leon was very emotional today and we talked about it and he said that he had not won (Balaklava Cup) yet and that he would have liked to win it.

“Because of his good season as a three-year-old there was some doubt as to whether he had perhaps come here after a poor run over 1400m but you have to give Stubby (Holder) credit for being on top form today.

“It was a great win.”

Gluyas said the son of Justify, who is also entered for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate, is now in line for the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).

WATCH: Air Assault wins Balaklava Cup