Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61781 Abr Heads To Sa Derby Day

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’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’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 ‘DT’ 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’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’s Bordertown meeting but they both drew awkward gates, so trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor and the team decided to scratch and wait for another day.

Harness Racing Update

ABR is proud to have two runners in Saturday night’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’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’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.