Air Max (NZ) Takes Gore Guineas

Air Max (NZ) (Nadeem) followed in the footsteps of his classy half-brother Boots ’N’ All (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) when he scored his first black-type win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m).

Like Boots ’N’ All, Air Max was offered at the South Island Sale, and like Boots ’N’ All he was passed in. He was retained by his breeders Cheryl Wilson and Bruce Sheat, this time alongside a large syndicate of others.

After two seconds, a fourth and a sixth in his first four starts, Saturday’s Gore Guineas was his breakthrough performance.

With Lee Callaway in the saddle, Air Max charged down the outside with an irresistible finishing burst to win by half a length from Dreamtesta (NZ) (Testa Rossa) and the previously undefeated Weaponry (NZ) (Declaration of War).

The Lance Robinson-trained Air Max has now earned $39,350 in prizemoney – almost double his $20,000 reserve at the 2017 South Island Sale.

“We’ve always liked him and set him for this race after his last run at Dunedin,” Robinson told NZ Racing Desk.

“I was a bit worried about the track as he doesn’t normally cop this sort of ground. That’s why he ran sort of ran around a bit, so it was a good effort. When he got so far back, I was really worried as I hadn’t expected to see him way back there.

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

A half-brother to Air Max and Boots ’N’ All will be offered during the upcoming Karaka 2019 National Yearling Sale. Going through the ring as Lot 937, the Super Easy colt features in the draft of Long Acres Stud.