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 & 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.
Warm Breeze had five runs in New Zealand for a second, before coming to Aaron Bain Racing during the middle of last year.
He had one run at Balaklava in November finishing fifth before having a break. On today’s win he can progress through the grades.
Trainer Ned Taylor said there were definitely positive signs for Warm Breeze.
“The front pair gapped those behind them,” Taylor said.
“He has done everything right today, but he is a horse that has got tricks at home.
“The team do a good job to get him to the races.
“Jason (Holder) rode him an absolute treat today.
“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’m not sure if that has made him lose a bit of confidence and be tricky.
“But he went out today and got the job done.
“He didn’t seem to appreciate the firm track at his first run for us at Balaklava.
“We gave him a break, let him settle into Australia and our way of training and it paid dividends today.
“He is hard work but hopefully when the tracks soften up we will see the best of him.”
Winning jockey Jason Holder said it had been a nice win by Warm Breeze.
“Ned (Taylor) said he would go well, and he was right,” Holder said.
“It is a good feeling when they jump well from gate one here.
“The traffic is all in front of me and I’m just there smoking my pipe.
“It worked out nicely after he jumped nice and clean and I rode him where he was happy.
“I didn’t want to get to the front too soon and he got a good run into the straight.
“He did a little bit wrong going to the front as he wanted to lay in but he will improve fitness-wise for sure.”