Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 65800 Largs Legacy

Promising filly Largs Legacy scored an emotional win on Cup day at Balaklava on Wednesday, September 16.

Largs Legacy is owned by members of the Port Districts Football Club who had the misfortune to lose much loved executive committee member, player and coach Steve Moffatt and his funeral was a week ago.

The spirit of Steve looked to be aboard the four-year-old mare as she fought hard to land the Clare Valley Toyota Maiden (1600m).

Trained by Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor, ridden by Jackson Murphy, Largs Legacy ($2.05 fav) won by a half-length from Empire Ruler ($3.70) with Pretty Morsel ($9.50), a distant 6-1/2 lengths away third.

After jumping well from gate one, Murphy found himself back in a distant third place with two opponents going out hard and setting a good tempo.

Largs Legacy had to cart the rest of the field up to the leaders and gathered them in turning for home.

The mare assumed control past the 300-metre mark, but the runner up loomed alongside to challenge, and the pair drew clear to decide the winner.

Largs Legacy responded to Murphy’s riding and held an advantage to the winning post.

Winning trainer Aaron Bain said Largs Legacy had deserved the win.

“There was a lot of speed on, and it was a tough ask,” Bain said.

“She had to dig deep and did, showing a lot of fight.

“I hope the win brings a bit of joy to the club, after not having the best of luck in finals and also losing club legend Steve Moffatt.

“Largs Legacy has been really good to them, running consistently well last preparation.

“She has returned well, in fact I think she has come back better and there are some nice races in her.

“To do what she did today, come off the fence late and fight really hard when challenged – she can go on with it.

“The Port Districts Football Club have been a great support since we started and there are a lot of them on course today.

“Credit to Jackson (Murphy), he got the best out of her and credit to the team at home.”

Winning jockey Jackson Murphy believes Largs Legacy can win again.

“They wanted it hard and fast early,” Murphy said.

“I was very confident with this little girl.

“Her first up run put the writing on the board she was up for a good prep.

“I felt she had come on since that run and her gallops at home had been super.

“I thought she dug real deep when she needed to when she got challenged.

“She found another gear and made me work hard for it.

“She is an absolute grinder, and it is a pleasure to ride for these guys (Bain & Taylor), and I am getting a lot of good support.”