Air Max claims Guineas despite track

Air Max wins the listed Gore Guineas on Saturday from Dreamtesta (yellow), Weaponry (obscured)...
Air Max wins the listed Gore Guineas on Saturday from Dreamtesta (yellow), Weaponry (obscured) and Fire Show (red). Photo: Wild Range Photography
The soft track conditions were not to his liking, but that  did not stop Riccarton galloper Air Max winning the Gore Guineas on Saturday.

The 3yr-old won the listed 1355m feature  after producing a huge finish from the rear of the field to beat Dreamtesta and favourite Weaponry.

Air Max was wayward in the run home for rider Lee Callaway and had to survive a bumping duel with fourth placegetter Fire Show.

Trainer Lance Robinson said the slow-rated Gore track was not ideal for Air Max.

"I was a bit worried about the track as he doesn’t normally cop this sort of ground.

"That’s why he  sort of ran around a bit, so it was a good effort."

Air Max did not look comfortable in Saturday’s soft going shortly after the start.

After jumping well, he quickly drifted back through the field and settled third last in the running.

"When he got so far back, I was really worried as I hadn’t expected to see him way back there."

Air Max scored at upset  28-1 win odds.

The 3yr-old went into Saturday’s listed event after a second  in his most recent start at Wingatui on Boxing Day.

"We’ve always liked him and set him for this race after his last run at Dunedin," Robinson said.

"He’s a half-brother to Boots ‘N’ All, so he’s going to be alright."

Runner-up Dreamtesta also got back in the running before making a big wide run to hit the front in the home straight.

Only Air Max’s devastating finish denied him victory.

Favourite Weaponry was close up in third. The 3yr-old was one of few horses that raced on the pace to figure in the finish.

A half-brother by Super Easy to Air Max and Boots ‘N’ All will be offered at the upcoming national yearling sales by Darfield’s Long Acres Stud.

The Gore meeting was an excellent one for Otago trainers, who won four races.

Shantav was clearly the most impressive of those winners with his epic 10-length victory in the Gore Cup.

Rider Tanya Jonker had the Barbara Verlinden-trained galloper in front and the further the race went the further he got away from his opposition.

Shantav relished the downgraded Gore track that went from dead to slow after persistent rain.

Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy scored wins with Macy and Always On Call on Saturday.

Balclutha trainer Rodd McKenzie produced Qashqai for a maiden victory.

The John and Karen Parsons-trained Johnny Jones claimed Saturday’s open sprint over 1200m.

The 6yr-old was stepping back in class after his solid last-start fifth in listed company at Wingatui on Boxing Day. Visiting northern rider Reese Jones had the horse in front throughout and they never gave their rivals a look in.

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