Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 62418 Group One Glory

The outstanding feature race success of Aaron Bain Racing continued at Albion Park on Saturday when two-year-old LOUCASSO took out the Group 1 $500,000 2025 Ladbrokes Protostar (1660m).

It registered ABR’s 13^th victory in Group 1 races in just three-and-a-half years.

Ironically, our first Group 1 win was by PARISIAN ARTISTE which two races earlier at Albion Park had won his heat four of the ID25 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Trotters Championship.

In our weekend preview, ABR suggested it would need a 10/10 drive by Mark Pitt for LOUCASSO to win the Protostar from gate seven, and he duly delivered.

ABR thanks trainer Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin for selecting our colt for their slot.

Tonkin said it was fantastic to see so many people enjoy LOUCASSO’s victory.

“It was unexpected for LOUCASSO to find the front but there was so much early carnage,” Tonkin said.

“He is a great two-year-old and he has great manners.

“It was good to have so many owners on course, but that is what Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock do, they get a lot of people involved in horse ownership.

“When he found the front and they started cheering I was hoping they didn’t get too excited too early. It was great to have so many people and their families at Albion Park to celebrate.”

PARISIAN ARTISTE won the Group 1 Vicbred 3YO Colts & Geldings Trotters Final at Melton on December 31, 2021, for our initial success in a pinnacle final.

This Saturday, the now seven-year-old will line up in his third Group 1 Inter Dominion Trotters Grand Final having finished sixth in 2022 and 10^th in 2024.

PARISIAN ARTISTE has been a wonderful soldier for ABR and a credit to part-owner-trainer Alex Ashwood and his partner, driver Tayla French, the pair celebrating the recent birth of their son Levi.

From gate four on Saturday, we hope another feature Group 1 is possible.

On the thoroughbred front, just the one runner at the midweek meeting at Sportsbet Gawler.

OH LOVEY NO runs for ABR in race one, the Irongate Australia Maiden (1700m) at 12.45pm SA time.

The four-year-old mare has drawn barrier 11 in an acceptance of 15 with three emergencies.

Apprentice Matthew Chadwick will ride and claim 2kg bringing the mare in that amount under the minimum.

OH LOVEY NO had her first run for ABR over the same track and trip on June 25 finishing seventh.

The four-year-old mare has improved since then and we hope she can be more competitive on Wednesday.

ABR is looking forward to strong representation, both on Mildura Cup day on Friday, then Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

Many of the expected runners have good jump outs at Murray Bridge on Monday morning.

ABR Weekend Star

 

A brilliant drive by Mark Pitt enabled LOUCASSO to chalk up a Group 1 victory for Aaron Bain Racing at Albion Park on Saturday.

Coming from the extreme outside of the front row in gate seven, with early interference inside, Pitt was able to get the colt to a one-out, one-back spot early before going on to find the front.

After a 27.1 second first quarter of the last 1600 metres, Pitt was able to back off for a 30.7 second next quarter before coming home as last 800 metres in a sizzling 54 seconds for an overall mile rate of a fabulous 1:51.6.

Backed from $8.50 into $6.50, LOUCASSO scored by two metres from Ark Sea ($34) with Atua Magic ($21), 16 metres away third.

It was fantastic to see so many of ABR’s wonderful ownership group involved in a Group 1 success.

An interesting side note to the victory was ABR principal Aaron Bain’s watching of the Protostar.

With his recently boosted interest in the Adelaide Thunderbirds netball team, Aaron and partner Amy were courtside to watch the final round game against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

The winner of the game would secure a place in the netball finals.

Playing the last quarter, the Thunderbirds were in front, but Aaron and Amy switched their attention to a phone to cheer home LOUCASSO.

The colt won and so did the T’Birds, so it was a perfect night out.