Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 62631 Weekend Preview

A busy weekend for Aaron Bain Racing with thoroughbred and standardbred runners at different venues around the country.

On Saturday, ABR accepted with three runners at Morphettville, one seeking our first Group 3 victory, but we will have only two starters. ABR also has four runners at Mildura in Victoria.

Our Morphettville day starts in race two, the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1600m) at 12.37pm SA time).

Imported galloper CONCORDE has run very well in two runs for trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor with an excellent first up second, then a third.

Apprentice Matthew Chadwick retains the ride and claims 3kg bringing him in with 53.3kg, .5kg under the minimum.

CONCORDE has drawn gate three in a field of nine. The small field, big track and trip are all positives so the six-year-old gets his chance to win his first Aussie race.

Betting agencies have him as much as $9.50 behind Sav On Ice the $2 favourite.

ABR will be looking for our first Group 3 win when in-form METRICAL takes his place in the $150,000 Sportsbet Behemoth Stakes (1200m), race seven at 3.37pm SA time.

With two wins and three seconds this preparation, the trainers decided he was worth a start in the black type company.

METRICAL has drawn gate nine in a field of 10 and will be ridden by Jason Holder.

He is probably not suited with the weight-for-age scale but is racing well enough to have a shot at the feature race.

Betting agencies believe he has the job ahead and listed him at $26 behind the favourite the Lightning Stakes winner Cicala at $3.10.

SOLAR MIST accepted in race nine, the Thomas Farms Handicap (1050m) but e has had a slight setback and has been scratched.

MRS PENNY CRACKER is ABR’s first runner at Mildura in race two. The Mallee Big Screen Hire Maiden (1409m).at 1.16pm SA time.

She has drawn gate nine in a field of 11 with Milos Bunjevac to ride.

The mare is having her first start for ABR and has trialled nicely.

OH LOVEY NO backs up after her excellent second at Gawler last Sunday in race three the Melbourne Cup Day In Mildura Maiden (1909m) at 1.51pm SA time.

Neil Farley has been booked to ride and the mare has gate eight in a field of 12.

Another to make her debut for ABR is the Grand Syndicates-owned SPLASH LANDING in race six, the bet365 Bet Boost 0-58 Handicap (1209m) at 3.41pm SA time.

She has gate 11 in an acceptance of 15 with three emergencies. Milos Bunjevac takes the ride.

SPLASH LANDING has had two nice jump outs to ready her for Saturday.

Another Grand Syndicates runner TERRITORIAN completes ABR’s Mildura day in race seven, the Mildura Motor Holdings 0-58 Handicap (1409m) at 4.21pm SA time.

Brad Rawiller rides again coming from barrier four in a field of 14.

TERRITORIAN broke his maiden in Mildura on July 19 after giving his rivals a start and a beating. He looks well placed again on Saturday.

Harness Racing

The Emma Stewart-trained REACH THE PEAK is engaged at Globe Derby Park on Saturday following his first win at the venue on Tuesday.

REACH THE PEAK scored his maiden win in a non-penalty race at Globe Derby Park.

Backed from $1.55 into $1.15 favourite, the colt raced away for driver Wayne Hill to win the Northside Trophies (1800m) by 11 metres.

On Saturday he has drawn barrier four in race eight, the Ladbrokes Blackbook Pace (1800m) at 10.28pm SA time.

Wayne Hill retains the drive in a tougher field, but the colt still looks a strong winning chance.

Three-year-old HUNGRY HIPPO was super impressive on race debut at Hobart last Saturday and this week he goes around again, at Launceston on Sunday.

He has drawn gate two in race nine, the Jillian Robins Stakes (2200m).

Mark Yole retains the drive, and he looks an excellent chance of making it two wins straight.

 

 

 

Impressive win

 

Trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor landed their first winner of the 2025/26 SA racing season when STOKOMO proved too strong for his rivals at Morphettville Parks.

After a career-best 42 winners in 2024/25, the ABR trainers are keen to better than number this season, and a win at the second meeting is an ideal start.

Ridden by Todd Pannell, STOKOMO ($4.80) scored a half-length win in the SkyCity Benchmark 56 Handicap (1400m) defeating Be Responsible ($3.90 fav) with Hard Leaf ($11) a long neck away third.

Pannell settled second on the winner before asking him to launch his claim shortly before the 200-metre mark.

Under the jockey’s hands-and-heels riding, STOKOMO grabbed an advantage and held it to the line.

Trainer Aaron Bain said STOKOMO’s win had been special.

“It was our first winner for Rob Hill Smith,” Bain said.

“Rob has as long history with the Barossa, owning Yalumba Winery, and her has a few owners in with him.

“We are very grateful for his support at Angaston Park, and to get one on the board for him is really good.

“Todd (Pannell) rode him a treat. There was a bit of speed battle early, but he was confident to poke through and race on the pace.

“He was tough late, and it was as good win. A tough watch the last 100 as they came at him, but he held on.”

Bain said STOKOMO was a credit to the Cam Baker rehabilitation program.

“He spent a bit of time with Cam as he had a minor leg injury.

“Full credit to Cam and the Barossa Equine Clinic.

“Rob had the patience and when he ran really good first up, Rob said he just wanted to win a race to prove he had got him back.

“Hopefully he can win another one.”

Winning jockey Todd Pannell was impressed by STOKOMO’s victory.

“It was a good solid win,” Pannell said.

“He was on-pace, and we ended up in the spot which we wanted.

“Last start at Mildura, with the blinkers on, he was a bit keen, but today he got into as good rhythm, relaxed nicely and was able to quicken off it.

“He took the reins at the top of the straight and hit the front himself. It was a good win.”