Airwave Clears Field in Temple Stakes

Airwave romped to a three-length win in Monday's Tripleprint Temple Stakes (Eng-II) for fillies and mares at Sandown, cementing her reputation as one of the top sprinters in Europe.

The only horse to beat Russian Rhythm, the 3-year-old Airwave, ridden by Dane O'Neill, was slow getting away at the start, but recovered to win the five-furlong stake while drawing away. The time was 1:00.33.

"I wasn't as nervous as I should have been," trainer and part-owner Henry Candy told The Racing Post. "I have seen her do the most amazing things. Four lengths is an awful lot to give away against the old professionals, but I wasn't that worried. Dane got there too soon, took a pull, went again and still got there too soon.

Repertory broke on the lead and set a powerful pace on the good to firm course. After the slow break, Airwave, an English-bred daughter of Air Express, soon recoverd to move to within five lengths of the leader midway. O'Neill shook her up two furlongs out, getting to the lead and going on once clear in the final furlong.

"She just dwelt a little," O'Neill told the publication. "The fact it was a sprint always makes it look worse than it is. That's just her, she's just a bit slowly away but the main thing is not to rush her. I would say I was the bones of seven lengths down."

Ten-year-old Repertory, ridden by T.G. McLauglin, held on for second by a neck over Acclamation, with Kieren Fallon aboard. Saddad finished fourth. Airwave and Acclamation were co-favored at 5-2 in the seven-horse field.