Aaron Bain Racing

Warm Breeze

Aaron Bain

Aaron Bain Racing left it late but finished the South Australian Autumn Carnival with a win.
In fact, it was the last race of the three Saturdays of racing, but METRICAL did us proud with a sensational first-up victory.
The five-year-old, well ridden by Jason Holder, exploded over the last 200 metres to grab a win in the Grand Syndicates Handicap (1200m).
METRICAL looks headed for a good preparation, and he loves rain-affected going, provided SA does get some moisture from the sky.
Switching to harness racing at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, CAPTAIN PERFECT landed another feature with a dominant victory in the Ladbrokes South Australian St Leger.
Then, trainer Peter Bain kept up his 100% record in 2025 with LA MOTH scoring in great style, driven by Sam Hill.
ABR heads to Thomas Farm Murray Bridge on Wednesday with four runners.
WARM BREEZE starts out day in race three, the Thomas Farms Murray Bridge Maiden (1200m) at 1.20pm SA time.
Jason Holder will ride, and the five-year-old gelding has drawn gate one in a field of 12.
WARM BREEZE won an 800-metre trial at Murray Bridge in March in preparation for his racing return.
The ex-New Zealander has had just the one run for ABR at Balaklava, and we expect him to improve this preparation.
Ex Victorian PIANTA is our second runner in race four the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Maiden (1800m) at 1.55pm SA time.
Brooke King will ride and claim 2kg drawing gate six in an acceptance of 18 with four emergencies. The four-year-old has had two trials and King rode him in the most recent at Balaklava.
PIANTA is a true stayer has been placed over 2450m and 2600m in Victoria.
ESKY has drawn wide in gate 16 in an acceptance of 18 with two emergencies in race seven, the AM &amp; ME Langsford Plasterboard Contractors Rating 0-68 Handicap (1800m) at 3.40pm SA time.
The five-year-old won a 1300 metre trial at Balaklava with Connor Murtagh in the saddle, and the Irishman retains the ride on Wednesday.
ESKY has won first up previously over distance and ABR considers he can be in the finish again.
Our day concludes with BETSY&rsquo;S FLAG in race eight, the Sportsbet More Places Rating 0-56 Handicap (1200m).
ABR has opted to book apprentice Brooke King to ride and claim 2kg. The mare has drawn barrier 14 in an acceptance of 18 with four emergencies.
BETSY&rsquo;S FLAG is an enigmatic mare and much better than her last start at Oakbank and we may opt to ride her quietly early with the hope she can finish off her race.
Harness Racing <img src="https://www.prism.horse/api/public/image/719e696e5d72433fb1b60c08019f0d83.jpg" alt="" width="630" /> 
On the harness racing front, at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, CAPTAIN PERFECT landed another feature with a dominant victory in the Ladbrokes South Australian St Leger.
For driver Wayne Hill it was his second St Leger success, the first being Badboy Nitro, back in 2006.
Then, trainer Peter Bain kept up his 100% record in 2025 with LA MOTH scoring in great style, driven by Sam Hill.
Bain has had five runners this year for as many wins with LIZZIE SHELBY and LA MOTH winning twice, and HILLTOP CRUSADER once.
CAPTAIN PERFECT looks to have a good future and he can only be improved by his St Leger success, his first run from a break.
The three-year-old colt has won two races in succession with his first victory being in the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic (1720m) at Melton on December 21.
He rated an excellent 1:55.7 coming home his last 800 metres in 57.8 seconds.
Perhaps surprisingly, it was just trainer Emma Stewart&rsquo;s first SA St Leger win.
Stewart has opted to leave CAPTAIN PERFECT in SA with ABR and may race at Globe Derby Park over the next three weeks.
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ABR Weekend Star 
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Even with the excellent Globe Derby wins, including a St Leger success, there is no doubt METRICAL was our weekend star.
The five-year-old&rsquo;s devastating sprint to victory at Morphettville on Goodwood Handicap day was important in the growth of Aaron Bain Racing.
Trained by Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor, METRICAL ($21) flashed down the outside to win the $75,000 Grand Syndicates Handicap (1200m) by a long head from Sachem ($10) with Great Maximus ($4.60) a head away third.
The five-year-old had been listed as third emergency for the event but managed to obtain a start on Friday with three scratchings and the ABR trainers were looking forward to testing him in the Benchmark 68 handicap.
Jockey Jason Holder had the gelding away nicely and settled just worse than midfield with cover but improved to be just behind the leading pack turning for home.
Holder got the gelding to the extreme outside into the clear with 200 metres left and METRICAL exploded to grab victory.
Trainer Aaron Bain said with his win METRICAL had proved a value purchase.
&ldquo;It was a great way to end the carnival,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;We find with the tried horses they have a really good second prep for us.
&ldquo;All his work leading up to today had impressed the whole team &ndash; Ned (Taylor), Will (O&rsquo;Malley) and Barend (Vorster) &ndash; when he came into the mounting yard he looked outstanding.
&ldquo;He ran really well first up for us at 1250 around the Parks track when we bought him, flashed home and unlucky not to win.
&ldquo;Today was just a perfect race for him on the main track and worth $75,000 &ndash; I think he doubled his purchase price with what we collect today.
&ldquo;For the owners it is a great result.
&ldquo;Full credit to our whole team, the systems are really starting to work &ndash; we have the right people in the right places &ndash; and that includes our ownership base.
&ldquo;We will see the best of METRICAL with the sting out of the ground.
&ldquo;To win today, he is going to have a good prep.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder said METRICAL had produced a brilliant sprint to score.
&ldquo;It was great to finish Goodwood day with a win,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;METRICAL has run well since coming into the ABR stable.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure we are all learning about him with time.
&ldquo;Aaron said not to go 30-wide turning for home but to keep him balanced with one last run at them.
&ldquo;I think he really loved that.
&ldquo;He was travelling really good on the corner and I just needed to get out.
&ldquo;He was in the right part of the track and let down beautifully.&rdquo;

Successful weekend for ABR

Metrical

South Australia&rsquo;s rich autumn carnival comes to a close on Saturday with the premier sprint the Goodwood Handicap the day&rsquo;s highlight.
ABR doesn&rsquo;t have a Goodwood runner this year but ironically, one of our Morphettville runners on Saturday, RUBAMOS, ran in the race last year.
He only came into ABR&rsquo;s team earlier in 2024 and was having just his third run for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor, and while unplaced was only 3.6 lengths behind the winner, the outstanding Benedetta.
Come forward 12 months and the trainers have a better understanding of RUBAMOS and the seven-year-old is in excellent form.
RUBAMOS will seek to give ABR our first black type success in the Group 3 $220,000 Hahn Cumming Stakes (1600m), race six at 2.42pm SA time.
Taylor Johnstone, who has enjoyed a good association with gelding, will ride jumping from barrier four in a field of 12.
As a last-start winner of The Vintage at Oakbank, RUBAMOS is entitled to take his place on Saturday.
Price assessors believe he has the job ahead and RUBAMOS is $17 in early markets with the favourite Arran Bay at $4.20.
Later support saw ABR&rsquo;s runner into $12 with the favourites now Arran Bay and Nonconformist at $4.80
NAVY GOLD will be ABR&rsquo;s first runner on Saturday lining up in the opening event, the SkyCity Handicap (1800m) at 11.47pm SA time.
Jason Holder will ride again coming from gate nine in a field of 13.
The trainers opted to back the four-year-old up after his excellent second from a horrible gate last Saturday.
NAVY GOLD has been racing in terrific form and looks suited again.
The TAB listed NAVY GOLD at $5.50 behind the $4.20 favourite Wine Barron but punters felt that was too juicy and he firmed into $4 favourite with Wine Barron out to $4.40.
Subsequent betting saw ABR&rsquo;s runner drift to $4.60 with Wine Barron firming again to $3.60 favourite.
ABR also accepted with METRICAL on Saturday, but he was listed as the third of four emergencies in a field of 20 in race nine, the Grand Syndicates Handicap (1200m).
Jason Holder has been booked to ride and the five-year-old drew well in barrier eight.
METRICAL runs well fresh and we would look for him to run well and he has obtained a start with three scratchings.
The TAB has the gelding at $19 with the favourite Beauty Rising at $4.
METRICAL has drifted to $26 with Great Maximus the firming $4.40 favourite.
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Harness Racing
ABR is looking for another Group 1 win with our two three-year-old fillies in Saturday&rsquo;s $200,000 John Gibson Memorial New South Wales Oaks (2300m), race six at 7.35pm SA time.
IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT and BEACH DIAMOND did not fare well in the draw coming up with saddlecloths eight and eleven, respectively. There is an emergency in seven so they can come in one spot, but BEACH DIAMOND will have to start from the outside of the front row.
Both found the front in their heats last week eventually finishing third and second but will definitely be improved by those runs.
With the scratchings of well fancied Luv The Nitelife and Precise, the market on the race has changed with Soho Americano the $2.90 favourite.
IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT, with Jackie Barker to drive opened at $6.50 and is now into $5 while Cam Hart stays with BEACH DIAMOND which seems nice odds at $13 but has now firmed to $10.
ABR will be looking for another feature win at Globe Derby Park on Saturday with the talented CAPTAIN PERFECT running in the $9999 Ladbrokes South Australian St Leger, race five at 8.29pm SA time.
Trained by Emma Stewart, the three-year-old hasn&rsquo;t raced since winning the Alabar Vicbred Platinum final at Melton on December 21.
Wayne Hill will drive CAPTAIN PERFECT which has gate three in a field of six.
Trainer Peter Bain will be looking to extend his winning run of four when the impressive LA MOTH lines up in race seven, the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Pace (1800m) at 9.29pm SA time.
Wayne Hill stays with the mare which resumed with a brilliant win last Saturday.
LA MOTH has an awkward draw of six but could come into five with an emergency in gate two.

SA Goodwood Handicap Day

Fantastic to see so many of the ownership group at Morphettville on Saturday to cheer DUBAI FOCUS in the Group 1 South Australian Derby.
The result didn&rsquo;t go as we would have liked finishing 10th but there is no doubt he should have finished closer to winner.
Aaron Bain Racing is proud that a horse we purchased at the Adelaide Magic Millions Sales two years ago has won three races and picked up in excess of $200,000 in prizemoney and bonuses.
We look forward to giving him a good spell and bringing him back for a spring campaign with a possible goal the Gawler Cup in late October.
Trainer Aaron Bain said he wanted to thank everyone who was at Morphettville on Saturday to support the stable.
&ldquo;It was great to have DUBAI FOCUS conclude his preparation in such a prestigious race,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;He lost no admiration from us with his performance, maybe the 2500 metres proved a touch too far, but he gave his all as he always does.
&ldquo;Ned (Taylor) and I couldn&rsquo;t be prouder of the horse and appreciate the support of the ownership group.&rdquo;
A goal of ABR is to be a player on big days such as last Saturday and felt the barrier draws cost us at least one potential winner with BEACH PAD and NAVY GOLD both running sensationally to finish second in their respective races.
ABR is looking to have three runners this Saturday on the third and final day of the SA Autumn Carnival.
Our chance for black type will be the in-form RUBAMOS which will contest the Group 3 $220,000 The Cummings Stakes (1600m).
No runners for ABR at Oakbank on Wednesday, looking ahead to Goodwood Handicap day on Saturday.
Harness Racing
A good weekend for ABR on the harness front.
IVESEENHEAVENSLIGHT (3rd) and BEACH DIAMOND (2nd) both qualified for this week&rsquo;s NSW Oaks at Menangle with placings in their heats on Saturday night.
Both fillies ran well, and while it would have been nice to win, they showed enough to be very competitive in the final.
Unfortunately, they have both drawn awkwardly in Saturday night&rsquo; Group 1 $200,000 John Gibson Memorial NSW Oaks (2300m).
It will be race six at 7.32pm SA time.
IVESEENHEAVENSLIGHT has barrier eight with Jackie Barker to drive while BEACH DIAMOND will carry saddlecloth 11.
They may come in one gate with the first emergency drawn barrier seven.
At Globe Derby Park, LA MOTH resumed from a spell with an impressive victory giving trainer Peter Bain a two-for-two record since taking over the reins at ABR&rsquo;s Gawler stables.
After settling two back in the running line, reinsman Wayne Hill let the mare sprint over the final 500 metres and LA MOTH raced away to win by 14 metres rating a smart 1:58.5.
Monday provided a double for ABR and took Peter Bain&rsquo;s winning run to four straight.
LIZZIE SHELBY made it two straight this preparation with a comfortable 5-1/2 metre win in the Seymour Group Pace (1800m) as a $1.15 favourite.
She was forced to sit parked as was HILLTOP CRUSADER which resumed with an excellent victory in the Vale Bill Adams Pace (1800m).
A $1.30 favourite, HILLTOP CRUSADER drew clear in the home straight to win by one metre.
Monday&rsquo;s winners were both driven in confident fashion by Wayne Hill.
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ABR Weekend Star 
LA MOTH took the award as ABR&rsquo;s weekend star with her brilliant return to racing at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Contesting the Ladbrokes Fast Withdrawals Pace (1800m), LA MOTH, now trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill, came from barrier two on the second line in the field of nine.
What was unusual was the betting on the race.
The mare opened an odds-on $1.60 favourite but in the half hour lead up, she kept drifting eventually starting at $2.80.
Hill had her away nicely to settle two back in the running line before asking her to improve from the 600-metre mark.
LA MOTH responded and quickly put the field away by 14 metres rating 1:58.5.
Driver Wayne Hill was impressed by LA MOTH&rsquo;s return to racing.
&ldquo;She punched through real good from the second line,&rdquo; Hill said.
&ldquo;She travelled beautifully through the race.
&ldquo;When I asked her to improve she grabbed the bit and trucked forward to the breeze.
&ldquo;She felt a million dollars.
&ldquo;Put them to the sword at the 400 (metres) and raced away.
&ldquo;She had been working well and won as we thought she would.&rdquo;

Weekend Review

ABR Virtual Yearling Parade 2025

The blue riband event of South Australian racing, the Group 1 $1 million Thomas Farms South Australian Derby (2500m) for three-year-olds is the highlight of day two of the SAJC Autumn Carnival at Morphettville on Saturday.
ABR is proud to have our first runner in the Derby with DUBAI FOCUS earning a chance at Group 1 glory.
The Thomas Farms SA Derby is race eight and will be run at 4.05pm SA time.
With Jamie Mott riding in Brisbane this Saturday, ABR has secured the services of star jockey Daniel Stackhouse to partner DUBAI FOCUS which has drawn barrier 13.
The game plan won&rsquo;t change with our star, he will go forward and set a solid tempo and see what happens.
DUBAI FOCUS fought on strongly to take third in the Chairman&rsquo;s Stakes (2000m) last Saturday.
The gelding was early specked from $17 into $15 with some corporate bookmakers and is now as short as $12 in some areas.
Yes, there is a query whether he will run 2500 metres, but that is the same with most of the field. What we do know is that he fights hard and will never give up.
DUBAI FOCUS is one of four runners for ABR at the Derby Day meeting.
BEACH PAD is our first runner, taking part In the opening event, the Winning Edge Presentations Handicap (2009m) at 11.52am SA time.
Apprentice Taylor Johnstone retains the ride and claims 2kg off his weight of 61kg and comes from gate nine in a field of 10.
The four-year-old is in great form and ran well when fourth in the Onkaparinga Cup (2150m) at Oakbank at his last start.
Definitely a good chance to start a good day for ABR.
BEACH PAD is quoted at $5 behind the Victorian Global Eclipse which is the $2 favourite.
NAVY GOLD has drawn terribly in gate 17 in a field of 18 with two emergencies in race five the $105,000 David &lsquo;DT&rsquo; Thomas Memorial Provincial Pathways Final (1800m) at 2.12pm SA time.
Jason Holder will ride but the barrier has certainly made it tough.
He had no luck from gate one at his most recent run when second at Balaklava.
NAVY GOLD is an $8.50 chance with the TAB behind the $3.20 favourite Fine Future.
ABR&rsquo;s other runner is DUAL PRESSURE in race nine, the $105,000 Grand Syndicates Festival State Series Sprint Final (1200m) at 4.40pmn SA time.
Yet again, he has drawn a shocking gate, the extreme outside in an acceptance of 17 with one emergency.
Jason Holder has been booked to ride.
It is an open betting race with DUAL PRESSURE at $5.50 behind Hajra, the $5 favourite.
Expect the ABR star to be charging home and prove very competitive.
ABR accepted with THERE GOES MY HERO and ESKY at Friday&rsquo;s Bordertown meeting but they both drew awkward gates, so trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor and the team decided to scratch and wait for another day.
<h3>Harness Racing Update</h3>
ABR is proud to have two runners in Saturday night&rsquo;s heats of the New South Wales Oaks at Menangle on Saturday.
IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT and BEACH DIAMOND, which ran the quinella in the Nutrien Equine Classic for three-year-old fillies at Melton on April 11 will line up at Menangle.
IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT will be driven by Jackie Barker coming from gate four in the Ashlees Babe NSW Oaks Heat One (2300m), race six at 7.40pm SA time.
The filly has opened a red hot $1.35 favourite.
BEACH DIAMOND is at $4.20 in her heat with stablemate Let Her Roll the $1.80 favourite.
ABR&rsquo;s filly has drawn gate three with Cameron Hart in the sulky in race eight the Cordina Chicken Farms NSW Oaks Heat Three (2300m) at 8.45pm SA time.
The fillies have to run top three to qualify for the Group 1 $200,000 final the following Saturday.
LA MOTH will represent ABR at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
The ex-New Zealand mare will carry the nine saddlecloth in race two, the Ladbrokes Fast Withdrawals Place (1800m) at 6.35pm SA time.
The mare, now trained by Peter Bain and to be driven by Wayne Hill, hasn&rsquo;t raced since finishing second at Globe Derby Park on November 16.
She has trialled well for her race return and ABR expects her to race well.

ABR heads to SA Derby Day!

Aaron Bain Racing was able to celebrate our first stakes placing at Morphettville on Saturday when the courageous DUBAI FOCUS fought on powerfully to run third in the PDF Food Services Chairman&rsquo;s Stakes (2000m).
On the opening day of the South Australian Autumn Carnival, DUBAI FOCUS showed all of his customary will-to-win to grab the minor placing.
As expected, the three-year-old settled in front before allowing VRC Derby winner Goldrush Guru to go to the front before jockey Jamie Mott asked him to go for victory in the home straight, and he was able to snare third.
It was the first time Mott had ridden DUBAI FOCUS and his post-race comments were interesting.
&ldquo;It was a really good run,&rdquo; Mott said.
&ldquo;On paper it looked like we were the only speed, and we had it kind of easy, probably too easy, for the first 300-400 metres.
&ldquo;Goldrush Guru got pulling quite hard which put a bit of tempo, and our horse relaxed beautifully off that horse.
&ldquo;He was really in for the fight up the home straight, he kept coming all the way to the line.
&ldquo;He really fought off the fourth horse for third so a great effort.
&ldquo;I think if you want to push on further (SA Derby) he showed today he is going to run it out.&rdquo;
With that is mind, trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor will monitor DUBAI FOCUS during the week, but it their intention to run in this Saturday&rsquo;s Group 1 $1,000,000 South Australian Derby (2500m).
On Saturday, ABR celebrated consecutive wins in the SA BOTRA Kindergarten Stakes at Globe Derby Park when diminutive filly OPEN THE GATES led throughout.
Trained by Emma Stewart, and driven by Wayne Hill, OPEN THE GATES emulated MISS DISTURBIA which won the feature in 2024.
No runners on Wednesday for ABR at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge but we are looking forward to the weekend with the second day of the SA Autumn Carnival where will be well represented plus the heats of the NSW Oaks in harness racing will be run at Menangle in Sydney.
On Monday, LIZZIE SHELBY made a fantastic return to racing for ABR with a brilliant all the way win in the Northside Trophies Pace (1800m).
Now in the care of Peter Bain, LIZZIE SHELBY firmed from $3.60 to start $1.08 and never gave her supporters a moment of concern with reinsman Wayne Hill having an armchair drive.
The four-year-old mare race away to win by 38-1/2 metres rating an excellent 1:57.6.
Great to see ABR father-figure Peter Bain back in the winner&rsquo;s circle as a trainer and trackside to enjoy the win.
ABR would also like to extend condolences and our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Greg Sugars who sadly passed away overnight on Friday night.
Sugars, 40, was a magnificent trainer and driver and a wonderful human.
ABR director Aaron Bain came up through the SA Pony Trots with the superstar horseman and acknowledged his contribution to harness racing.
&nbsp;
ABR Weekend Star 
OPEN THE GATES was ABR&rsquo;s star with her win in the SA BOTRA Kindergarten Stakes (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Her victory gave ABR consecutive wins in the time-honoured SA feature following MISS DISTURBIA&rsquo;s win in 2024.
Trained by Emma Stewart, and driven by Wayne Hill, OPEN THE GATES led throughout from gate three rating 1:59.5.
In her heat a week earlier, the filly came from gate six and had to sit parked before running second.
She had travelled to Adelaide on the Friday and perhaps that didn&rsquo;t suit so Stewart left her in Adelaide with ABR and she settled back into the routine and was spot on for Saturday night.
Im Big Business, which led and beat OPEN THE GATES in the heat, had positions reversed on Saturday and made a race of it with the ABR filly over the final 500 metres.
ABR&rsquo;s filly was up for the challenge and responded in great style to win well.

ABR Weekend Wrap

The South Australian autumn carnival kicks off at Morphettville on Saturday and Aaron Bain Racing is looking to having runners each week.
The weekend of racing kicks off on Friday with the ANZAC Day meeting at Balaklava.
Only the one runner, BULLET WING at Balaklava.
ABR has to wait until race seven, the Gallipoli Memorial Trophy Benchmark 62 Handicap (1600m) at 4.12pm SA time.
BULLET WING has drawn barrier eight in a field of 17 with Taylor Johnstone to ride.
The six-year-old is in good form and the spacious Balaklava track suits him ideally and ABR is certain he can be very competitive.
ABR is taking three runners to Morphettville on Saturday for the start of the carnival.
Our day starts in race one, the Croser Handicap (1600m) at 12.02pm SA time when MAKIN steps out for the second time for the stable.
Manoel Nunes rides from gate two in a field of 13.
MAKIN was not suited by the 1200 metres on debut for ABR and is a lot better placed on Saturday.
He looked good winning a 1000 metre trial at Balaklava last Thursday.
The TAB opened MAKIN at $12 behind the $3.10 favourite Regal Azmon. We would hope he runs very well.
GHALIB steps out in the Group 3 Sportsbet John Hawkes Stakes (1100m), race three at 1.12pm SA time.
He comes from barrier four in a field of 11 with Manoel Nunes in the saddle.
The five-year-old is all the better for his first two runs for ABR and did trial quite nicely over 1000 metres at Balaklava last Thursday.
ABR hopes he can improve on Saturday and show his true ability.
Price assessors have GHALIB opening at $34 with the smart Watchme Win at $3.20. Again, we would hope he runs better than his odds suggest.
DUBAI FOCUS completes ABR&rsquo;s day in race four, the Group 3 PFD Food Services Chairman&rsquo;s Stakes (2000m) at 1.47pm SA time.
Top Victorian jockey Jamie Mott has been booked and will jump from barrier 13 in a field of 17 with one emergency.
DUBAI FOCUS is a bold front runner and will be up on the speed. He was not disgraced when fourth at his most recent run in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m).
The Chairman&rsquo;s is even tougher, but ABR knows the three-year-old always gives his best.
The TAB opened DUBAI FOCUS at $12 with the favourite Athanatos at $3.30.
&nbsp;
Harness Racing Update
What an excellent debut by DOWNBYTHETEESIDE at Bendigo on Wednesday.
From gate one, the colt had no issue leading with Mark Pitt in the sulky in the Star Sports Supporting The Good Friday Appeal Pace 2150m).
Trained by Emma Stewart, DOWNBYTHETEESIDE had comfortable quarters of 30.8, 31.5 and 30.1 seconds before dashing up the home straight in 27.3 seconds.
He won by 13-1/2 metres and looks to have a nice campaign ahead.
ABR was looking forward to the return of one of our top three-year-olds, CAPTAIN PERFECT, at Melton on ANZAC Day, Friday, April 25.
He drew gate three in race three, heat one of IRT Cranbourne 10000 Pace (2240m) but on Wednesday had to be scratched by trainer Emma Stewart.
Stewart said there was nothing major wrong with the Captain, she was just not quite happy with his final piece of work before Friday.

ABR Weekend Preview

The magical Oakbank Easter weekend is over again, and this year Aaron Bain Racing managed to pick up one of the features.
RUBAMOS put in a tough performance on Easter Saturday to land the $107,250 Simon Tolley The Vintage in a photo to give the owners a well- deserved result.
Our horses ran well on both days and now ABR now looks forward to this weekend with the ANZAC Day meeting at Balaklava on Friday, then the Group 1 Sangster Stakes and Australasian Oaks races on a fabulous program starting the autumn carnival.
On Wednesday, ABR tunes in to watch the debut run of three-year-old colt DOWNBYTHETEESIDE at the Bendigo harness meeting.
Trained by Emma Stewart and to be driven by Mark Pitt, he has drawn gate one in race seven, the Star Sports Supporting The Good Friday Appeal Maiden (2150m) at 7.50pm SA time.
<h2>ABR Weekend Star</h2>
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 ABR couldn&rsquo;t go past RUBAMOS as our weekend star.
What a performance to win at Oakbank on Saturday.
After three seconds from his previous four runs, RUBAMOS deserved a victory, but it was achieved under tough circumstances.
Coming from the extreme outside gate of 14, in the $107,250 Simon Tolley The Vintage (1400m), jockey Taylor Johnstone was trapped three and four wide early as the field settled down.
Johnstone allowed RUBAMOS to slide forward and settle second ready to come down the hill.
The seven-year-old didn&rsquo;t look comfortable on the home turn and drifted wide before being straightened and urged to go for home.
RUBAMOS ($3.90 fav) hit the lead but had plenty of challengers, but he responded to Johnstone&rsquo;s urgings to hold them at bay and win by a head from Favourite Child ($10) with Fine Future ($9) a long neck away third.
The gelding came into the ABR stable from champion trainer Chris Waller in February 2024 and showed promise but had a few issues into his campaign.
After a break, he has been racing very well for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor and deserved the victory.
Trainer Aaron Bain said RUBAMOS was a smart galloper.
&ldquo;He deserved to win one and that was his first victory for us,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;He has been honest but has been caught up in the high weights.
&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t been able to get that right 1400 metre race for him.
&ldquo;Last year we ran him in a Goodwood but this year we have been looking for 1400 metre races which are his speciality.
&ldquo;Credit to Angaston Park, he works up the hills every day, he loves it.
&ldquo;To win a nice race at Oakbank is what ABR and our team are all about.
&ldquo;These wins are all about the team, we have 35 on the books at Aaron Bain Racing along with Summit Bloodstock, Jamie, Jake and their team plus in harness racing Clayton (Tonkin) and Emma (Stewart).
&ldquo;Taylor (Johnstone) is a great young apprentice, and we have backed her in. Her 2kg claim was important today and she rode him well. She deserved the win as much as ABR.
&ldquo;It was fantastic to win a $100,000 race with him and reward the owners.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Taylor Johnstone was full of praise for RUBAMOS.
&ldquo;He was really good today,&rdquo; Johnstone said.
&ldquo;Obviously jumped from the widest gate and didn&rsquo;t have much luck early.
&ldquo;I chose to press forward as he was starting to get a bit keen.
&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to fight him, just wanted him to get into a rhythm.
&ldquo;We ended up outside the leader and let him travel down the hill.
&ldquo;He was really tough to the line &ndash; every time the horse on his outside kept fighting, he kept fighting back.
&ldquo;It was a really tough win.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

ABR Race Review

Rubamos

Aaron Bain Racing is an unabashed fan of Oakbank racing at Easter.
Certainly, the on-track happenings have change dramatically with the removal of jumps racing, but the names of the races are etched in history.
The Hills Railway Stakes, Onkaparinga Cup and Country Cup are just three races which have been important in the history of SA racing.
The 2019 Hills Railway winner Despatch went on to win the Goodwood Handicap a month later.
This year, ABR is excited to have runners around the Adelaide Hills course at Easter.
On Saturday, ABR takes three runners to the picturesque track.
BEACH PAD will be our first runner in race six, the Coopers Brewery Onkaparinga Cup (2150m) at 3.02pm SA time.
Apprentice Taylor Johnstone will ride and her 2kg claim will see our stayer line up 2kg under the minimum of 54kg.
BEACH PAD has drawn well in gate two in a field of 14.
He is going for a hat-trick of wins following victories at Strathalbyn and Morphettville.
ABR is lifting the bar again but BEACH PAD stays well and handles undulating tracks so he should be competitive.
The price assessors believe he can step up and early markets had him $4.60 equal favourite with Motorace in an open betting affair. Punters liked the ABR galloper and he has firmed into $4 favourite.
RUBAMOS gets his chance to notch a win in race seven, the Simon Tolley The Vintage (1400m) at 3.42pm SA time.
It is heat eight of the Adelaide In Autumn Series which culminates in a final a Morphettville next month.
Again, Taylor Johnstone takes the ride with her 2kg claim but unfortunately he has drawn barrier 14, the extreme outside gate.
RUBAMOS is racing very well with seconds at Morphettville Parks, then Morphettville when he was beaten an eyelash.
There is no doubt the 1400 metres is an ideal trip, and he has to be considered.
RUBAMOS was installed the $3.70 favourite in opening betting markets.
ABR&rsquo;s day concludes in race eight, the Listed Harcourts Adelaide Hills Railway Stakes (1100m) at 4.17pm SA time with METRO LEGEND.
Jason Holder has the mount coming from barrier eight in a field of 15.
ABR has kept him fresh for Saturday, but METRO LEGEND has had trial wins at Murray Bridge and Morphettville to ready for him for a race return.
Now a seven-year-old, the gelding goes well first up and he shouldn&rsquo;t be too far away in a quality field.
Eagle-eyed fans will note that METRO LEGEND is carrying new colours &ndash; purple with gold crossed sashes and cap - those of strong ABR supporter, John Curnow.
Early markets suggest he has the job ahead and he is at $41 behind the $2.50 favourite Sir Sway. Now, he has eased to $51.
ABR takes another trio of runners to Oakbank on Easter Monday.
WARM BREEZE starts our day in race one, the Sugar Financial Services Maiden (1050m) at 1.20pm SA time.
Jason Holder has the ride coming from gate 11 in an acceptance of 17 with three emergencies.
WARM BREEZE, a former New Zealander, ran a nice fifth at Balaklava in November at his first run for us and has since won a Murray Bridge trial on March 14.
Hopefully, he will prove a good winning chance.
Another to resume is BETSY&rsquo;S FLAG in race two, the Oakbank Hotel Class One (1100m) at 1.55pm SA time.
She comes from gate three in a field of13 with Jason Holder in the saddle.
The mare has finished well back at both her runs for ABR but had no luck at all at her first run.
BETSY&rsquo;S FLAG has deliberately been kept fresh for Monday and ABR hopes to see her run very well.
On-pace runner THERE GOES MY HERO completes our day in race five, the Klose&rsquo;s Foodland Rating 0-62 Handicap (2150m) at 3.40pm SA time.
He has drawn barrier three in a field of 13 and again, Jason Holder will be in the saddle.
THERE GOES MY HERO has thirds at Oakbank and Murray Bridge at his most recent runs and the step up to 2150m should suit him perfectly.
Holder is a master rider and loves middle distance races &ndash; he is a real bonus.
The four-year-old should give a great sight.
ABR took a big team of horses to the trials at Balaklava on Thursday.
Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor were very happy with the trials.
Ex-Singapore gallopers MAKIN, ASIF and GHALIB all trialled very well.
Others to please were METRICAL and GOODNITE MOON.
Harness Racing Update
ABR will have our first runner at Globe Derby Park for some time on Saturday.
Two-year-old OPEN THE GATES runs in race eight, heat two of the SA BOTRA Kindergarten Stakes Series (1800m) at 9.33pm SA time.
The filly, to be driven by Wayne Hill, has drawn gate seven, the extreme outside of the front row.
OPEN THE GATES was first past the post on debut in a heat of the Gold Tiara at Bathurst on March 19 but was relegated to second after a protest.
The filly then ran third in the consolation.
Hopefully, she can break through on Saturday.
ABR, in partnership with out good friends at Summit Bloodstock, along with Tonkin Stewart Racing purchased six yearlings at the Nutrien Equine Yearling Sale earlier this week.
Costing $218,000 those purchases will hopefully be our stars of 2026.
We picked up two Sweet Lous fillies, other fillies by Captaintreacherous, Bling It On and Muscle Mass plus a colt by McWicked.

ABR Race Preview

Aaron Bain Racing would like to thank everyone for helping make the Gala Dinner last Friday a runaway success.
Close to 300 people had a fabulous evening, with guest speakers Damien Oliver and Glen Boss entertaining and the night expertly compered by Terry McAuliffe.
Hopefully, triple Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glen Boss is a good judge jumping on the ABR train and informing the audience he believes co-trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor will be the state&rsquo;s top mentors within 10 years.
ABR is impatient and hope it doesn&rsquo;t take quite that long but recognises a lot of hard work has to be done to become &ldquo;an overnight success.&rdquo;
Oliver, who rode for ABR before his retirement, also gave a glowing report on the presentation of our runners.
ABR needs to compliment the staff at the Wolf Blass &lsquo;The Man&rsquo; Centre for their service and mouth-watering food.
The main award of the night was the ABR and Summit Bloodstock 2024 Horse Of The Year and the winner was Group 1 Victoria Oaks winner COASTAL BABE.
Trained in New Zealand by Steven Reid, the filly had just two runs in Australia for wins in the heat and final of the Victoria Oaks at Melton.
In New Zealand, she had two wins and a second from nine runs.
COASTAL BABE also took out the Two &amp; Three-Year-Old Rising Stars award ahead of her Victoria Oaks placegetters KISS and SHOWSOMEJOY.
The Four-Year-Old and Open age award went to HEZA PUNK ROCKER, winner of the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series ahead of SOHO HISTORIA and IM THEMIGHTYLUCY.
The South Australian Harness Horse Of The Year was taken out by WINGS ON THE LINE from IM THEMIGHTYLUCY and SHEZA MANIPULATOR.
The Thoroughbred Horse Of The Year was EVERGLADE ahead of THERMODYNAMIC and MIDNIGHT MASS.
The five-year-old mare had three wins from five starts.
Aaron Bain, principal of Aaron Bain Racing, loves his ABR family and became emotional when he announced the newest additions to the ABR Life Members&rsquo; Club.
First to join inaugural inductee Chris Dean was prominent owner Brad Fitzgerald from Platinum Services SA, quietly spoken, but a major supporter of ABR.
Anyone who watches the ABR runners would be aware of Nicole Rantanen Reynolds and her husband David who wear clothing to support the business in their red, white &amp; blue.
They joined ABR after a walk through the Globe Derby Park harness stables several years ago and have become wonderful supporters of the brand.
The test is now on to make the 2026 ABR Gala Dinner, bigger and better!
Thoroughbred Racing SA made the decision to move the Sportsbet Oakbank race meeting from Wednesday to Thursday this week because of the forecast 42-degree day on the former day.
A cool change is tipped with a forecast high of 27 degrees on Thursday making conditions a lot more comfortable.
Three acceptors for ABR at Oakbank.
The first is PACIFIC JEWEL in race three, the Stateliner Coaches Maiden (1400m) at 2.30pm SA time.
Unfortunately, PACIFIC JEWEL is fourth emergency in a field of 18 and is going to need a lot of luck to obtain a run.
Apprentice Taylah Johnstone has been booked to ride and claim 1.5kg, and the mare has drawn nicely in gate three should she obtain a run.
She had no luck on her SA debut and can run a much better race here.
NAVY GOLD is ABR&rsquo;s next runner in race five, the Harcourts Adelaide Hills Benchmark 56 Handicap (1400m) at 3.30pm SA time.
The four-year-old has drawn gate two in a field of 16 with two emergencies.
Jason Holder has been booked to ride NAVY GOLD which will be out to go one better than his very unlucky second at Murray Bridge on January 24.
Again, with any luck, he should be super competitive.
ABR&rsquo;s final runner is DON&rsquo;TDOUBTLAYLA in race seven, the Magain Real Estate Benchmark 56 Handicap (1100m) at 4.30pm SA time.
We have chosen to back the mare up after her unplaced run at Murray Bridge last Wednesday.
She was an impressive winner at Oakbank at her first run for ABR and we have booked apprentice Isaac Sit who rode her to victory that day.
He will claim 4kg and DON&rsquo;TDOUBTLAYLA has drawn barrier 14 in a field of 20 with four emergencies.
The wide draw should not be too much of a disadvantage as the mare will get back and give the jockey a chance to give her a clear run down the outside in the home straight.
Provided she can back up, DON&rsquo;TDOUBTLAYLA should be hard to hold out.
<h2>ABR Weekend Star </h2>
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OVEREXTEND provided the perfect postscript to ABR&rsquo;s Gala Dinner weekend with a strong win at Morphettville on Saturday.
Ridden by apprentice Taylah Johnstone, the six-year-old began brilliantly from his outside draw and crossed down to second spot rounding the home turn.
OVEREXTEND ($10) wore down the bold front running leader Vexatious Dancer ($14) to score by a half-length with The Magistrate ($10) a similar margin away third in The Grand Syndicates Handicap (1050m).
The gelding now has won three times second up in six preparations, with a second as well.
Trainer Aaron Bain said Overextend had benefitted from a good break.
&ldquo;When we first got him he had been up for 11 months and we tried to take advantage of his wet track form and pushed on his with his preparation,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;It is not something we normally do with tried horses, but we gave him three runs and he got progressively worse and worse.
&ldquo;We had no option but to spell, and to be fair to the owners, I said we could put him online and cut our losses or we give him a freshen up and start again.
&ldquo;They were very patient, and his best form is his fresh form.
&ldquo;He went very good first up and the horse that beat him went on to win at the (Moonee) Valley last Friday, so the form was good enough.
&ldquo;This race on paper was a lovely race for him and it is not often you see horses get beaten at Penola and come to win in town second up, but he got the job done.
&ldquo;It was a lovely ride by Taylah (Johnstone), she got across from the wide gate and he got the job done.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Taylah Johnstone said she always wanted to use Overextend&rsquo;s early speed to overcome his barrier draw of 12 in a field of 14.
&ldquo;The plan was to go forward and leave him alone,&rdquo; Johnstone said.
&ldquo;They (trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor) said he is a wind and grind sought of horse, he doesn&rsquo;t have too much of a sprint.
&ldquo;The horse running along in front kept him concentrating but I was getting a little bit worried that he was giving too much of head start.
&ldquo;However, he had a bit left in the tank on the line, so it was a strong run.
&ldquo;He was good through the line, but he is a bit of a thinker, however, once he went past the leader he was going to keep going.&rdquo;

Aaron Bain Racing | News 61061 Weekend Review

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