Only the one runner at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Saturday.
FOLLOWING SEA steps out in race eight, the Thomas Farms Handicap (1400m) at 3.07pm SA time.
The four-year-old has drawn barrier 15 in an acceptance of 16 which includes two emergencies.
Top jockey Jason Holder retains the ride after FOLLOWING SEA&rsquo;s debut for ABR at Morphettville Parks on May 17.
The gelding ran a creditable fifth behind Synchro, an acceptor on Saturday, beaten 4.67 lengths.
He has since had a run around in a Balaklava 1050m trial on June 4 finishing as close up fourth when ridden by Holder.
FOLLOWING SEA has won second-up previously and the spacious Bridge circuit should suit.
Betting operators have listed at $31 behind the $3 favourite Synchro.
ABR took nine horses to the Morphettville Parks trials on Thursday to determine their upcoming plans.
Some will head to the races, some to the paddock for their development but trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor were happy with the trials.
<h3>Harness Racing</h3>
ABR has to wait until the final event at Globe Derby Park on Saturday to see our two runners.
LA MOTH has drawn gate one in the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Pace (2230m) at 10.22pm SA time.
Trained by Peter Bain, the in-form mare will be driven by top concession driver Bernadette Page.
LA MOTH has won three of her four starts this preparation.
Victorian trainer Emma Stewart has sent the talented NO NOTTHEBUTTONS across and he comes from gate four in the field of six, with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
NO NOTTHEBUTTONS has not raced since November 30 when third in the Southern Cross 3YO C&amp;G final.
He trialled nicely in SA before going back to Emma Stewart and she has picked out Saturday&rsquo;s race for his resumption.

Aaron Bain Racing

Weekend preview

Aaron Bain

Patrons were looking for a WARM BREEZE at Gawler on Monday for the King&rsquo;s Birthday race meeting, and the ex-New Zealander duly delivered for Aaron Bain Racing.
The remainder of the ABR runners performed respectively over the weekend but it was just the one winner.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor Are taking a small team to the trials at Morphettville on Thursday and have no runners at Mount Gambier on Wednesday.
ABR is looking to have representation at the Thomas Farms Murray Bridge meeting on Saturday.
On the harness scene, two outstanding wins for ABR at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
TAKE MY WALLET resumed from a break of nearly 12 months to win in great style.
The six-year-old mare was given a brilliant drive by Samantha Hill to take out the NC Equine Pace (1800m).
Raced on lease by harness enthusiast Clancy Garner and trained by Peter Bain, TAKE MY WALLET ($5.50), settled one-out, one-back before sprinting home to beat the favourite Cyclone Brenda, driven by Hill&rsquo;s husband Wayne.
Peter Bain was delighted for Clancy as he stables the mare and helps out with her training.
&ldquo;TAKE MY WALLET likes her own company and for that reason we stable her at Clancy&rsquo;s property away from the rest of the ABR team.&rdquo;
CAPTAIN PERFECT scored his fourth win on a SA campaign in the Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Pace (2230m).
The three-year-old, driven by Wayne Hill, beat the older horses by 14-1/2 metres after sitting parked, rating 1:57.6.
CAPTAIN PERFECT will return to trainer Emma Stewart&rsquo;s Victorian stables and there is a chance he might head to Queensland for the Group 1 $150,000 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby (2680m) at Albion Park on Saturday, July 19.
Two of ABR&rsquo;s star two-year-olds will clash at Ballarat on Thursday.
DEGARMEA TEALE, LOUCASSO and LETSSTARTINHEAVEN were acceptors in the $20,000 Durham Park Two-Year-Old Rising Star (1710m), race five at 7.30pm SA time.
Unfortunately, trainer Emma Stewart has had to scratch DEGARMEA TEALE.
DEGARMEA TEALE had drawn gate one, LOUCASSO will carry the number six saddlecloth while LETSSTARTINHEAVEN has the seven.
ABR Weekend Star
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L2Bv2uZZT8s" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> Again, a tough choice to select our Weekend Star but the nod finally went to WARM BREEZE for his excellent all-the-way win at Gawler on Monday.
A former New Zealand galloper, WARM BREEZE made it two wins in a row for Aaron Bain Racing following his maiden win at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge in May.
Ridden by Jason Holder, WARM BREEZE ($3.50) sat wide from gate seven seeking the best going on the heavy nine track surface and repelled his rivals to win the Matrix Solar Solutions Class One Handicap (1100m).
The five-year-old prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths from Tara Rani ($51) with Scandalist ($3.60), three-quarters of a length away third.
Carrying topweight of 60kg, the gelding controlled the tempo and was never seriously challenged in the home straight.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor along with Racing Manager Will O&rsquo;Malley have opted to wait for the suitable races for WARM BREEZE.
&ldquo;Breeder and owner Graham Court sent him across to see if we could place him to advantage,&rdquo; Aaron Bain said.
&ldquo;We found the right maiden at Murray Bridge, then today he was well suited at Gawler.
&ldquo;He is improving in his second preparation for ABR.
&ldquo;There is no doubt he also liked the heavy track today.
&ldquo;It was a good positive ride by Jason which ensured the victory.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder said WARM BREEZE had backed up his maiden win in good style.
&ldquo;WARM BREEZE gave me another nice winner for ABR,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;He backed up his effort at Murray Bridge which was good.
&ldquo;He jumped out well and I rode him where he was happy.
&ldquo;I rode him like he was the best horse in the race.
&ldquo;He wanted to wait for them in the home straight but did enough to win well.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

King’s Birthday win

Warm Breeze

It might be the weekend to recognise the King&rsquo;s Birthday, but Aaron Bain Racing hopes to be doing the celebrating.
ABR will have runners at both the Morphettville Parks meeting on Saturday, and Gawler on the Monday holiday.
At Morphettville Parks, we have accepted with three runners but is likely to only start two.
THERE GOES MY HERO, placed at his last five starts, gets his chance to break through in race three, the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (2400m) at 12.42pm SA time.
Apprentice Taylor Johnstone will ride and claim 2kg to reduce his weight to 54kg drawing barrier nine in a field of 11, but there already has been a scratching.
THERE GOES MY HERO was left a sitting shot for Lake&rsquo;s Folly at his most recent run at Murray Bridge. That horse is opposed again on Saturday, but we will meet it on 2kg better terms.
In early markets, THERE GOES MY HERO has been backed from $3.50 into $3.20 favourite and hopefully Saturday is his time to shine again.
Three-year-old filly LITTLEBOURKESTREET will have her first start for ABR in race seven the Aceit Transport Solutions Handicap (1000m) at 3.02pm SA time.
Jason Holder will ride coming from gate one in an acceptance of 13 with one emergency.
LITTLEBOURKESTREET hasn&rsquo;t raced since November 29 when fourth over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley when prepared by the McEvoys.
She trialled nicely at Strathalbyn on May 19 and ABR is looking forward to having her race on Saturday.
Early markets have LITTLEBOURKESTREET at $12 with the favourite the Victorian visitor Romani Ite Domum at $3.20.
ABR&rsquo;s other acceptor is WARM BREEZE in race eight, the SkyCity Handicap (1000m) at 3.42pm SA time, but he also accepted at Gawler on Monday.
The trainers are leaning towards scratching on Saturday and running on Monday.
On Monday, ABR has accepted with four runners at the Gawler meeting.
ABR prefers not to have runners clash, but it is unavoidable in race two, the Coopers Brewery 2025 Barossa Cup Benchmark 58 Handicap (1700m) at 1.20pm SA time where there was an acceptance of 14 which includes four emergencies.
The Barossa Cup is a race ABR won in 2022 with TOYETIC and this year we have THERMODYNAMIC and ESKY.
Todd Pannell will ride THERMODYNAMIC which is backing up from Penola last Sunday and has drawn gate 10.
Unfortunately, ESKY is the second emergency. Jason Holder has been booked, and he has drawn barrier seven.
WARM BREEZE has been drawn in race five, the Matrix Solar Solutions Class One Handicap (1100m) at 3.05pm SA time.
Jason Holder will ride but he has drawn the extreme outside gate in a field of 10.
ABR felt the ex-New Zealander was better suited here and with the likelihood of rain affected ground, might be better suited out wide.
ABR&rsquo;s day concludes with SOLAR MIST in race six, the Magain Fielke Real Estate Gawler Benchmark 56 Handicap (1200m) at 3.40pm SA time.
The grey has gate four in an acceptance of 16 with four emergencies. Jason Holder will be in the saddle.
Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor gave SOLAR MIST a soft trial at Balaklava on Thursday to ready him for his race return.
<h2>Harness Racing</h2>
Three runners at Globe Derby Park on Saturday for ABR.
TAKE MY WALLET resumes for trainer Peter Bain and reinsman Wayne Hill in race four the NC Equine Pace (1800m) at 8.08pm SA time.
The mare has drawn gate three. She has not raced since finishing fourth at Port Pirie in July last year.
LIZZIE SHELBY will be out to make it four straight wins in race five, the Kevin &amp; Kay Seymour Emerging Stars Pacers Series (1800m) at 8.41pm SA time.
The ex-New Zealander, trained by Peter Bain and to be driven by Wayne Hill, has drawn awkwardly in barrier eight, gate one on the second row.
CAPTAIN PERFECT will also be out for four straight wins in SA when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Pace (2230m) at 9.47pm SA time.
The three-year-old will come from gate six for trainer Emma Stewart with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
At Melton on Saturday, ABR&rsquo;s star mare KISS steps out in race two, the Australian Pacing Gold Pace (1720m) at 5.09pm SA time.
Mark Pitt will drive the Emma Stewart-trained mare which has drawn the extreme outside on the second row.
After running second to stablemate COASTAL BABE in the Victoria Oaks last year, KISS won the Breeders Crown final for three-year-old fillies.
She returned to racing on May 24 with an excellent victory at Melton.

King’s Birthday weekend

An excellent weekend for Aaron Bain Racing with winners at both codes.
On Saturday at Morphettville, promising staying galloper BEACH PAD had a tough run but was still too good.
In winning, it took ABR&rsquo;s metro stakemoney for the season past the $1million mark, a feat of which ABR is proud.
Jockey Jason Holder admitted it was not his best ride, but the WA-owned galloper persevered and showed a ton of grit to win well.
On the harness front, trainer Peter Bain came up with an ABR treble.
On Friday, with the family matriarch Val, Bain made the trip to Mildura to win with HILLTOP BLOSSOM &ndash; a real family filly.
Her dam is the successful Hilltop Rose, a Ladyship Stakes winner as a two-year-old when driven by Aaron Bain.
Her mother is Carnival Rose, a successful racing filly, then mare, which has continued a strong winning line in the breeding barn with four foals &ndash; all winners.
HILLTOP BLOSSOM sat parked but ground out a tough half head win the Park Douglas Printing Maiden (2190m).
With that win, the filly is headed to the paddocks for a break and the hope is she will come back among the best of her age.
Ex-New Zealand mare LA MOTH was outstanding in notching her seventh win from 10 starts for ABR.
In probably her best win, the six-year-old mare did it tough before drawing clear for a three-metre win in the Table Of Knowledge Pacing For Pink Pace (1800m).
Coming from gate five, reinsman Wayne Hill elected to sit three wide early before trying to move forward and take the spot outside the leader. But Clarenden Tribute, which was there, started to race keenly and it took some effort before LA MOTH got to her preferred spot in a quick quarter of 29 seconds.
After an easier 31.4 second quarter, the tempo of the race lifted with 58.8 second last 800 metres.
LA MOTH, backed from $2 into $1.70, drew clear to win from Sky Fawkes ($13) with Vatican Green ($23), 5-1/2 metres away third.
Winning reinsman Wayne Hill was full of praise for LA MOTH which was purchased from New Zealand by Aaron Bain Racing in partnership with Summit Bloodstock.
&ldquo;After the hard work early, I thought it would be a good effort just to run a place,&rdquo; Hill said.
&ldquo;She loves to win and when the challenges came she found more stamina and ended up winning very well.&rdquo;
Then at the Sunday Globe Derby Park twilight meeting ALOHA PRINCESS made a winning debut in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Pots Pace (1800m).
Backed from $2 into $1.33 favourite, ALOHA PRINCESS sat parked before taking the front and going clear off the back to win by seven metres.
No runners for ABR at Wednesday&rsquo;s Balaklava meeting but we will be at the track on Thursday for trials with a strong representation as a number of our younger horses step out.
Then, on to Morphettville Parks on Saturday as we close in on our 100th winner.
Already this season, we are up to 20 metro winners at a strike rate of 19%.
<h2>ABR Weekend Star</h2>
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l527OM2kwmM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> ABR loves it when it is a tough choice to select our Weekend Star and that was the case to end May.
In a photo-finish call, BEACH PAD got the verdict.
Promising staying four-year-old overcame a wide run to notch his third win for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor since coming from Western Australia.
BEACH PAD covered ground and held off a late challenge to take out the $65,000 Fleurieu Milk Company Handicap (2042m).
Ridden by Jason Holder, BEACH PAD ($2.40 fav) scored by a quarter-length from Magnetic Edge ($9.50) with Smiling Assassin ($41), 1-1/4 length away third.
The four-year-old ran right up to his previous start when a gallant second to star three-year-old Party Crasher at Morphettville on May 3.
BEACH PAD jumped from gate six in a field of nine and settled towards the tail of the field but was caught wide.
Holder allowed him to improve to be just behind the leaders turning for home, then asked him to go for home.
No sooner had BEACH PAD found the front than the runner-up issued a strong challenge, but the ABR four-year-old responded to Holder&rsquo;s riding to find the winning post in front.
Trainer Aaron Bain said BEACH PAD was an impressive staying prospect.
&ldquo;It was a lovely win, and he showed plenty of heart,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;He showed great fight after being three wide the trip.
&ldquo;Jason (Holder) didn&rsquo;t panic and let the horse be comfortable.
&ldquo;BEACH PAD was very strong late and deserved the win after covering ground.
&ldquo;He has continued to step up and go to another level.
&ldquo;We now potentially might wait three weeks and go to a 2500 metre race.
&ldquo;There are certainly better races on the horizon for BEACH PAD.
&ldquo;Onwards and upwards.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder admitted it had been not his best ride.
&ldquo;First place is great,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;You can put in a crook one and still win, that is what happened out there.
&ldquo;I got one off the fence then another rider came up on my inside and I was three wide the trip but kept him balanced and didn&rsquo;t panic.
&ldquo;The horse did a terrific job, he is well trained by Aaron (Bain) and Ned (Taylor).
&ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t have soft run and what I liked about him was his determination when I asked him.
&ldquo;If he wasn&rsquo;t trying he would have given up, but he really fought on nice.
&ldquo;He raced really well today.
&ldquo;It was a good deserving win for BEACH PAD.

Weekend victories

Beach Pad

Aaron Bain Racing is always looking for maximum ROI for our owners and an example in this weekend.
The stable is extremely happy with THERMODYNAMIC and accepted with him both at Morphettville on Saturday and Penola on Sunday, seeking the right formula to give him a chance for success.
ABR has accepted with four runners for Morphettville on Saturday.
STOKOMO is our first runner in race two, the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1200m) at 12.07pm SA time.
Having his first run for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor, the four-year-old has drawn gate seven in a field of 12 with Jason Holder to ride.
STOKOMO was an acceptor for Gawler last Wednesday, but the trainers were wary of running him first up on a heavy track and opted to wait, hopefully for better going, at Morphettville. It is currently rated a soft 7.
He trialled quite nicely at Balaklava on April 17 and ABR is hoping for a competitive effort.
Early markets have him at $19 with The Sprinkler the favourite at $3.60.
Ultra-consistent stayer BEACH PAD is the next runner in race three, the Fleurieu Milk Company Handicap (2042m) at 12.42pm SA time.
Jason Holder gets aboard from barrier eight in a field of 12.
Holder rode BEACH PAD to his two wins earlier in the preparation so knows him well.
The four-year-old has been in great form with a last-start second to Qld Derby runner Party Crasher at Morphettville on May 3.
BEACH PAD has opened the $2.70 favourite and looks a strong winning hope.
METRICAL steps out in race seven, the Thomas Farms Handicap (1200m) at 3.02pm SA time.
ABR has booked apprentice Matthew Chadwick to ride and claim 3kg which means he should be 2.5kg under the race minimum weight.
METRICAL has drawn barrier nine in a field of 14.
The five-year-old was an outstanding winner first up over this track and trip and with his light weight should be very competitive.
It is a tougher race but METRICAL seems good value at $18 with the favourite Lovely Lookin&rsquo; at $3.30.
THERMODYNAMIC accepted in race nine, the Grand Syndicates Handicap (1600m) at 4.20pm SA time.
Despite his disappointing first up run, ABR was confident he was going well enough to be a good winning chance in the city.
However, he came up with the extreme outside gate in an acceptance of 20 with four emergencies so after the Penola fields came out, the trainers opted for the South-East race.
At Penola, THERMODYNAMIC has accepted in race four, the Coopers Brewery Rating 64 Handicap (1400m) at 2.25pm SA time.
Apprentice Brooke King has been booked to claim 2kg and the gelding has drawn gate four in an acceptance of 13 with one emergency.
King won the Clare Cup on him last preparation and looks well placed on Sunday.
ABR&rsquo;s other runner at Penola is REFRESHING which runs in race one, the Adrian Thomas Industrial Benchmark 62 Handicap (1075m) at 12.25pm SA time.
Senior jockey Dylan Caboche has been engaged.
The mare has had two runs for ABR and now into our way of training, we are hoping for a good campaign.
<h1>Harness Racing</h1>
ABR&rsquo;s harness racing involvement this weekend starts on Friday when trainer Peter Bain heads to Mildura with the promising HILLTOP BLOSSOM.
Desperately unlucky when second on race debut at the same venue and on Friday, she lines up in the final event, race nine, the Park Douglas Printing Maiden (2190m) at 5.37pm SA time.
Wayne Hill will drive the filly which will carry the nine saddlecloth, gate one on the second row.
On Saturday, LA MOTH represents ABR at Globe Derby Park in race four, the Table Of Knowledge Pacing For Pink Pace (1800m), at 7.57pm SA time.
The mare will come from barrier five with Wayne Hill in the sulky for trainer Peter Bain.
After winning her first two starts back from a break, LA MOTH ran well when sprint laned by Alive And Free at her most recent outing.
On Sunday, ABR will have two runners at the Globe Derby Park twilight meeting.
HILLTOP CRUSADER will start in race five, the Jewellery Journey Pace (1800m) at 6.19pm SA time.
Wayne Hill is in the sulky and the four-year-old will come from gate three.
It would pay to overlook his out of character effort at Mildura at his last run and ABR would expect him to be very competitive.
ALOHA PRINCESS, a beautifully bred three-year-old filly will make her race debut in race nine, the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Pot Pace (1800m) at 8.15pm SA time.
Trained by Peter Bain, she has drawn gate four with Wayne Hill to drive.

Action in both codes

A perfect weekend on the feature front for Aaron Bain Racing with our two harness runners each winning their rich $150,000 final.
With our great friends Summit Bloodstock and a host of owners, LOUCASSO and DEGARMEA TEALE had victories at Melton to each collect the first prize of $75,000.
A colt, LOUCASSO, trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Mark Pitt, rated 1:55.4.8 in an easy all-the-way 15-metre win of the $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Final over 1720 metres.
Driver Mark Pitt has a big opinion of LOUCASSO.
Pitt believes the son of Sweet Lou could have gone faster if asked.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s got serious speed, this fellow, and when you keep flicking him up, he just keeps finding gears,&rdquo; Pitt said.
&ldquo;He was just idling up the straight and I&rsquo;m sure if I had clicked him up, he would have really run some serious time.
&ldquo;I just let him come out on his own and didn&rsquo;t ask him at all, and that&rsquo;s always a good sign, but I think if you had to ask him to come off the gate, he would get off it really well.&rdquo;
Emma Stewart also trains DEGARMEA TEALE which was driven by Jackie Barker in the $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Fillies Final over the 1720 metres.
This proved to be a tougher watch.
After finding the front, DEGARMEA TEALE controlled the tempo but in the home straight was strongly challenged by Ride The Highs which looked good grab a narrow lead but ABR&rsquo;s filly fought back to claim victory by a head.
Driver Jackie Barker conceded DEGARMEA TEALE still has a lot to learn before she is the finished product. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s a typical little baby with her first time in front,&rdquo; Barker said.
&ldquo;She got a bit lost out there and saw plenty of things that she probably hasn&rsquo;t seen before.&rdquo;
Barker was happy with the way DEGARMEA TEALE responded when challenged in the straight.
&ldquo;She was not switched on really well tonight, but credit to her. When that horse got up outside and challenged her, she really switched on well then.
&ldquo;She doesn&rsquo;t respond overly well, and I was tapping her the whole way as she was too busy looking around at things. She wanted to have that horse up on her outside keeping her honest.
"She&rsquo;s proven that she can run the times, and the ability is definitely there. You&rsquo;ve got to remember it&rsquo;s only her second start tonight and she&rsquo;s still got plenty to learn.&rdquo;
ABR also had two other harness winners on Saturday with star mare KISS resuming a winner at Melton, then CAPTAIN PERFECT winning his third race in three weeks at Globe Derby Park.
KISS came from a back row draw to win the Ranvet Pace (2240m) rating an excellent 1:55.0 for trainer Emma Stewart and driver Mark Pitt.
Bernadette Page had the sit in the sulky of the Emma Stewart-trained CAPTAIN PERFECT which rated 1:56.9 in a strong victory in the T Junction Performing at Globe Sunday May 25 Pace (1800m).
On Sunday, ABR ventured across Bass Strait with another two-year-old SHORELINE DREAM which scored at Launceston.
Trained by Emma Stewart, and driven by Mark Yole, SHORELINE DREAM was caught three wide early before sitting parked then racing away from the 400-metre mark to win the DHRC Two-Year-Old Pace (1680m).
Starting a $1.30 favourite, he won by 24-1/2 metres in a rate of 1:57.7.
On the thoroughbred front this week, racing returns to Gawler on Wednesday after a five-month break because of track renovations.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor will have one runner for ABR, STOKOMO in race six, the Irongate Australia Benchmark 56 Handicap (1200m) at 3.50pm SA time.
The gelding has drawn gate three in a field of 12 and will be ridden by Taylor Johnstone.
STOKOMO, part-owned by prominent SA businessman Robert Hill-Smith whose family founded the Yalumba Winery in Angaston.
The Hill-Smith family have had a long and successful association with thoroughbred racing going back to the days of Colin Hayes, and Robert&rsquo;s father, Wyndham Hill-Smith.
STOKOMO was formerly trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly but had a slight setback after his last run in September last year, and the decision was made to transfer him to ABR.
The four-year-old had a nice trial over 1000 metres at Balaklava on April 17 and the trainers have waited until Wednesday to line him up at the races.
Following the heavy rain on Monday, the trainers are wary about running him on a bottomless track, and so, have also nominated him for Morphettville on Saturday.
ABR Weekend Star
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A7nFl9YnbXg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>
 Four winners across the weekend for ABR but LOUCASSO took the award as our weekend star.
The two-year-old colt, trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Mark Pitt, displayed his undoubted ability with an all-the-way win in the $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Final over 1720 metres.
Pitt was able to rate him perfectly and LOUCASSO was never challenged winning easily by 15 metres.
Pitt believes the winner&rsquo;s high speed is his greatest asset.
&ldquo;I think that&rsquo;s just him as a high-speed horse at this stage of his career. I hope everything stays well with him and we see him in some really nice races later on in the season.&rdquo;
Now a winner at three of his four starts, LOUCASSO&rsquo;S only blemish was when he galloped on the home turn in the Gold Crown Final at Bathurst.
&ldquo;I think that when Herbie (James Herbertson) went to flick him up, it just gave him a little fright and he jumped out of his gear, so we have to be mindful that when you tap him up, you&rsquo;ve just got to go easy on him,&rdquo; Pitt said.
&nbsp;

Harness success

Two rich harness racing finals for two-year-olds at Melton on Saturday take the spotlight for Aaron Bain Racing this weekend.
But firstly, there will be a trip to Thomas Farms Murray Bridge for the thoroughbreds on Saturday.
Ultra-consistent THERE GOES MY HERO backs up after an excellent second at Morphettville Parks
He runs in race five, the Daish Irrigation &amp; Fodder Handicap (2500m) at 1.52pm SA time, drawing gate 11 in an acceptance of 14, but already there has been a scratching.
Apprentice Taylor Johnstone takes the ride and with her 2kg claim, the four-year-old will carry 2kg under the minimum.
THERE GOES MY HERO was an excellent second behind Queensland Derby-bound Party Crasher last week.
Early markets have the gelding at $5 with the favourite Sentimental Flame at $3.30.
ABR&rsquo;s other runner is METRO LEGEND which has drawn terribly in race nine, the Mulch N More Handicap (1400m) at 4.25pm SA time.
He has drawn gate 19 in an acceptance of 20 with four emergencies.
Apprentice Taylor Johnstone will claim 2kg off his weight of 62.5kg.
METRO LEGEND has had just one from a break, in the Listed Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank, beaten 3.24 lengths by the winner Volcanic Express.
Early markets have the gelding at $15 with the favourite Sachem at $5.50.
<h3>Harness Racing</h3>
ABR is hoping for feature successes at Melton on Saturday night.
LOUCASSO lines up in the $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Series Final (1720m) for two-year-old colts &amp; geldings, race eight at 8.18pm SA time.
Trained by Emma Stewart and to be driven by Mark Pitt, he will come from gate three in a field of eight.
Bookmakers think LOUCASSO will win and have him at $1.09 favourite.
Then, DEGARMEA TEALE will start in the $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Series Final (1720m) for two-year-old fillies, race nine at 8.44pm SA time.
Also trained by Stewart, the filly will be driven by Jackie Barker and carry the number four saddlecloth in a field of seven.
DEGARMEA TEALE has been installed a $1.20 favourite.
ABR is hopeful the pair can justify their short quotes.
At Globe Derby Park, CAPTAIN PERFECT will attempt to notch a third straight win in as many weeks when he contests race eight, the T Junction Performing At Globe Sunday May 25 Pace (1800m) at 9.50pm SA time.
The three-year-old has drawn gate 10 in a field of 11 with one emergency, with top concession reinsperson Bernadette Page to drive.
Trained by Emma Stewart, CAPTAIN PERFECT won the SA St Leger two weeks ago, then scored by a brilliant 55-1/2 metres last week.
&nbsp;

Feature harness finals

Aaron Bain Racing&rsquo;s had excellent success in the harness racing area on the weekend.
During last week, our two-year-olds LOUCASSO and DEGARMEA TEALE won their heats of the APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Series over 1650 metres at Bendigo.
A colt, LOUCASSO rated 1:54.8 in an easy 23 metre win, then the filly DEGARMEA TEALE recorded a brilliant 1:53.7 in a five-metre win.
They will now contest their own $150,000 APG Melbourne Sales Graduate Final over 1720 metres at Melton on Saturday. More details in ABR&rsquo;S weekend preview.
On Saturday night at Globe Derby Park, trainer Peter Bain extended his perfect run in SA in 2025 to six wins when LIZZIE SHELBY thrashed her rivals in the NC Equine Pacing For Pink Pace (1800m).
Driven by Wayne Hill, the four-year-old mare won easily by 16 metres.
Disappointingly, Peter&rsquo;s run ended in the following race, the Table Of Knowledge Pacing For Pink Pace (12800m), when LA MOTH ran a gallant second, beaten a metre after sitting parked.
ABR&rsquo;s night ended in spectacular fashion when CAPTAIN PERFECT, a winner of the SA St Leger a week earlier, thrashed his rivals in the Pacing For Pink Fundraiser May 31 @ GDP Pace (2230m) winning by 55-1/2 metres!
Great win by Warm Breeze last week and while there were no wins for ABR on the thoroughbred front at Morphettville Parks, but the stable was happy with the efforts of the team.
No runners for ABR at Balaklava on Wednesday and our attention now is on the meeting at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Saturday where we expect to have two runners.
ABR had two nice trial runners at Strathalbyn on Monday and look forward to them hitting the track.
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ABR Weekend Star
Maybe he was upset not getting the award for his St Leger win last week, but CAPTAIN PERFECT stamped another nomination on Saturday with an incredible win at Globe Derby Park.
It was a win that was impossible to overlook.
A three-year-old, CAPTAIN PERFECT took on the older horses in the Pacing For Pink Fundraiser May 31 @ GDP Pace (2230m) coming from gate five with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
After sitting just backed early in a quick lead time of 44.3 seconds, Hill took the colt forward to find the lead and let him cruise along in front.
The Emma Stewart-trained three-year-old peeled off quarters of 28.7, 30.2, 29 and 29.2 seconds for the last 1600 metres to record an excellent mile rate of 1:57.0.
In winning, CAPTAIN PERFECT left his rivals well in the rear vision metre winning by an amazing 55-1/2 metres!
Reinsman Wayne Hill said CAPTAIN PERFECT was an outstanding colt.
&ldquo;He ran a quick time of 1:57.0 over the 2230m which was very good,&rdquo; Hill said.
&ldquo;Once he found the front, he grabbed the bit, and he trucked.
&ldquo;He travelled up and could have gone another lap, he felt amazing.&rdquo;
The current plan is for CAPTAIN PERFECT to have another two runs at Globe Derby Park before he returns to the Victorian stables of Emma Stewart.

Harness highlights the weekend

As The Seekers sang, &lsquo;The Carnival Is Over&rsquo; but for ABR the racing continues on Saturday at Morphettville Parks.
ABR has accepted with five runners for Saturday&rsquo;s SA metro meeting.
Debutante ONE MORE SONG steps out in race one, the Festival Hire Maiden (1000m) at 11.37pm SA time.
The two-year-old filly has drawn gate four in a field of 11 with apprentice Felicity Atkinson to ride and claim 3kg.
Owned by the Pipeliner Bloodstock of Wayne Mitchell, owner of Angaston Park, the filly has had three trials for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor and done enough to suggest she is ready for her race debut.
ONE MORE SONG is a $27 chance with bookmakers behind the $1.75 favourite, Victorian Chisholm.
Ultra-consistent THERE GOES MY HERO lines up in race two, the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (2250m) at 12.12pm SA time.
Jason Holder rides and the gelding has barrier three in a field of eight.
With minor placings at his past three starts, THERE GOERS MY HERO deserves a win and ABR is sure he will be super competitive.
He ran a close second over 2150m at Oakbank at his most recent run and the four-year-old has to be strongly considered.
THERE GOES MY HERO is quoted at $7 behind the heavily backed favourite Party Crasher at $1.60.
THERMODYNAMIC returns to racing in race four, the PFD Food Services Handicap (1550m) at 1.22pm SA time.
Apprentice Taylah Johnstone, claiming 2kg, will be in the sulky coming from gate six in a field of 11.
The five-year-old has not raced since finishing midfield in the Bordertown Cup on December 17.
Johnstone rode THERMODYNAMIC in a 1000 metre trial at Balaklava on April 17.
The gelding has a good first up record and ABR hopes he can show up again.
There has been a little early support for THERMODYNAMIC from $6 into $5.50 with Andrew&rsquo;s Memory the favourite at $4.40.
FOLLOWING SEA has his first run for ABR in race five the Dominant Handicap (1400m) at 1.57pm SA time.
Jason Holder will ride jumping from barrier one in a field of 11.
The four-year-old won a trial in nice fashion at Balaklava on April 17 with Holder in the saddle.
FOLLOWING SEA is a winner of three races from just 10 starts.
Last preparation, for trainers Tony &amp; Calvin McEvoy, the four-year-old ran home powerfully to win first up over 1600 metres on a heavy eight track at Hamilton in Victoria.
Punters took the early price of $12 for FOLLOWING SEA, and he is into $10 with the favourite Synchro at $3.50.
METRO LEGEND completes ABR&rsquo;s day in race seven, the Frank White&rsquo;s 80th Birthday Handicap (1300m) at 3.12pm SA time.
He has drawn poorly in the extreme outside gate in an acceptance of 13 which includes one emergency with Jason Holder to ride.
METRO LEGEND resumed in the Listed Hills Railway Stakes at Oakbank on April 19 and finished just over three lengths from the winner.
The barrier is certainly no help on Saturday.
Bookmakers listed METRO LEGEND at $27 with I Am Velvet the favourite at $2.90.
On Sunday, ABR has the one runner at Strathalbyn.
GOODNITE MOON will make her debut in race three, the Team Poly Tanks Maiden (1600m) at 1.08pm SA time.
The three-year-old filly has drawn barrier eight in an acceptance of 12, but already there has been a scratching.
Apprentice Taylor Johnstone will ride.
GOODNITE MOON has had three trials for ABR to prepare her for the race debut. The most recent was a third over 1000 metres at Balaklava on April 17.
Harness Racing
ABR heads to Mildura on Friday afternoon with trainer Peter Bain having two runners.
First-starter HILLTOP BLOSSOM lines up in race one the Welcome Levi To Ashwood Stables Maiden (1720m) at 12.37pm SA time.
The two-year-old filly, bred and owned by the family matriarch Val Bain, has drawn gate three with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
HILLTOP CRUSADER is ABR&rsquo;s other starter in race six, the Clue Merbein Pace (2190m) at 3.46pm SA time.
An impressive winner at Globe Derby Park when resuming, the three-year-old will carry the number four saddlecloth with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
On Saturday, ABR has three runners at Globe Derby Park, all later in the evening.
LIZZIE SHELBY runs in race six, the NC Equine Pacing For Pink Pace (1800m) at 8.52pm SA time.
She has drawn gate 10 for trainer Peter Bain with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
Bain and Hill combine again with LA MOTH in race seven, the Table Of Knowledge Pacing For Pink Pace (1800m) at 9.22pm SA time.
Seeking a third straight victory, LA MOTH comes from barrier six.
St Leger winner CAPTAIN PERFECT completes ABR&rsquo;s night in race nine, the Pacing For Pink Fundraiser May 31 @ GDP Pace (2230m) at 10.15pm SA time.
He will carry saddlecloth five for trainer Emma Stewart with Wayne Hill to drive.
Warm Breeze 
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Lightly-raced former New Zealand galloper Warm Breeze broke through for his initial win at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Wednesday, May 14.
Warm Breeze ($2.60 fav) was given the run of the race by Jason Holder in the Thomas Farms Maiden (1200m) before drawing clear to beat Pirate ($3.60) by 1-3/4 lengths with Idracowra ($7), 3-1/2 lengths away third.
Trained by Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor, the five-year-old made good use of gate one to settle third on the fence in the run to the home turn.
Holder eased him to the outside of the leader and after a short tussle, drew clear to win comfortably.
Trainer Ned Taylor said there were definitely positive signs for Warm Breeze.
&ldquo;The front pair gapped those behind them,&rdquo; Taylor said.
&ldquo;He has done everything right today, but he is a horse that has got tricks at home.
&ldquo;The team do a good job to get him to the races.
&ldquo;Jason (Holder) rode him an absolute treat today.
&ldquo;I have watched a few of his replays in New Zealand, and one day he dumped the rider and nearly went down himself and I&rsquo;m not sure if that has made him lose a bit of confidence and be tricky.
&ldquo;But he went out today and got the job done.
&ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t seem to appreciate the firm track at his first run for us at Balaklava.
&ldquo;We gave him a break, let him settle into Australia and our way of training and it paid dividends today.
&ldquo;He is hard work but hopefully when the tracks soften up we will see the best of him.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder said it had been a nice win by Warm Breeze.
&ldquo;Ned (Taylor) said he would go well, and he was right,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;It is a good feeling when they jump well from gate one here.
&ldquo;The traffic is all in front of me and I&rsquo;m just there smoking my pipe.
&ldquo;It worked out nicely after he jumped nice and clean and I rode him where he was happy.
&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to get to the front too soon and he got a good run into the straight.
&ldquo;He did a little bit wrong going to the front as he wanted to lay in, but he will improve fitness-wise for sure.&rdquo;
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SA Goodwood Handicap Day

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.
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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.

Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61714 Abr Weekend Preview

ABR Weekend Preview

Fri, Apr 25, 2025

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Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61714 Abr Weekend Preview

ABR Weekend Preview

Fri, Apr 25, 2025

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