Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61742 Abr Weekend Wrap

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’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.

“It was a really good run,” Mott said.

“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.

“Goldrush Guru got pulling quite hard which put a bit of tempo, and our horse relaxed beautifully off that horse.

“He was really in for the fight up the home straight, he kept coming all the way to the line.

“He really fought off the fourth horse for third so a great effort.

“I think if you want to push on further (SA Derby) he showed today he is going to run it out.”

With that is mind, trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor will monitor DUBAI FOCUS during the week, but it their intention to run in this Saturday’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’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.

 

ABR Weekend Star

OPEN THE GATES was ABR’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’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’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’s filly was up for the challenge and responded in great style to win well.