Aaron Bain Racing

Weekend Preview

Aaron Bain

Aaron Bain Racing&rsquo;s bid for an outstanding October hit the mark on the weekend.
DUAL PRESSURE returned to winning form with an outstanding win at Murray Bridge and will now head to the $107,500 Holdfast Insurance Brokers Gawler Cup (1500m) on Friday, October 24.
Jockey Jason Holder was at his brilliant best on DUAL PRESSURE taking the gelding to the front and holding off the opposition.
On the harness front, NO NOTTHEBUTTONS was successful at Melton on Friday evening, then at the same venue on Saturday, BEACH DIAMOND led throughout in her heat of the Victoria Oaks to qualify for Saturday&rsquo;s Group 1 $150,000 final.
Driver Mark Pitt, having his first drive on the filly, was impressed by Beach Diamond.
&ldquo;She gave me a really good feel,&rdquo; Pitt said.
&ldquo;We really only clicked up the last half, and she still felt like she had a lot left.
&ldquo;When the danger Soho Americano came up, I was travelling well but she took a little bit to get around the turn.
&ldquo;Once she got around the turn she powered away.&rdquo;
Although he didn&rsquo;t win, CAPTAIN PERFECT ran third in his Victoria Derby heat and also qualified for this week&rsquo;s Group 1 $150,000 final.
Driver Mark Pitt said Captain Perfect had done an excellent job.
&ldquo;I thought he was super,&rdquo; Pitt said.
&ldquo;He did all the work, and I think the 2700 (metres) suits him.
&ldquo;He likes to run along at a genuine tempo.
&ldquo;If he gets a good draw in the final he will be in it for a long way.&rdquo;
SWEET MIA continued her winning form at Albion Park, sitting parked and still proving way too good for her rivals.
Only the one runner at Balaklava on Wednesday when the promising UTAH attempts to make it two wins in a row competing in the TQCSI Class One Handicap (1600m), race three at 3.10pm SA time.
The event is a heat of the Restricted Series which will culminate in a final next month at Morphettville.
Jason Holder will ride, and he has drawn gate seven in a field of nine.
UTAH was impressive rounding up his rivals at Strathalbyn on September 28 to win a 1600 metre maiden following a first-up third over the same trip at Balaklava on September 10.
The grey has trained on well and ABR hopes he can measure up on Wednesday.
ABR is excited about Saturday&rsquo;s racing at Morphettville with SHADY THINKER returning to the track.
A winner of two of his three starts, SHADY THINKER won a trial at Balaklava last month to prepare him for his return to the track.
An interesting sidelight to Saturday involves ABR&rsquo;s PACIFIC CROSS.
Her half- brother Autumn Boy won the prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Guineas ensuring he has a significant stud career ahead.
PACIFIC CROSS is also beautifully bred being by Merchant Navy out of the mare Rosegarden.
She has had two starts for ABR and cost herself each time with slow starts.
With the win of Autumn Boy, ABR&rsquo;s phone has been ringing off the hook with breeders inquiring about her availability and it would seem we could collect more than double our purchase price if we wished to sell.
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<h2>Weekend Star </h2>
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DUAL PRESSURE, courtesy of a 10/10 ride by Jason Holder, returned to the winning list at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Saturday to be ABR&rsquo;s Weekend Star.
Coming from an awkward gate of 11 in a field of 16, jockey Jason Holder elected to go the front in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (1400m) rather than be caught four and five wide.
It proved the right decision as DUAL PRESSURE ($5) could not be run down and scored a half-length victory from Tosen Water ($15) with Angelic Appeal ($16), three-quarters of a length away third.
Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor have had the $107,500 Holdfast Insurance Brokers Gawler Cup (1500m) on Friday, October 24 as a target for the five-year-old this preparation.
On his Bridge run, the gelding must be a great chance.
Trainer Ned Taylor believes DUAL PRESSURE is headed for a strong preparation.
&ldquo;DUAL PRESSURE is one we stretched the budget on buying him online,&rdquo; Taylor said.
&ldquo;We thought this would be his preparation to shine and it was great to get the win.
&ldquo;He is a lovely horse with a great action, but he can be a bit quirky and have a think in his races.
&ldquo;Stubby (Jason Holder) has got to know him better and today we left it up to him.
&ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t draw that well and Stubby took the bull by the horns.
&ldquo;It was great to see the horse out to 1400 metres and really stretching out well.
&ldquo;We stretched him out in distance today and now it is on to the Gawler Cup, and he should be competitive.
&ldquo;We were very happy with his first up run in the Wylie, he half got checked for a run and bounced out if it really well.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder said DUAL PRESSURE had been impressive.
&ldquo;He ran well last start and needed the run,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;Today he raced beautifully.
&ldquo;He jumped a bit too well and I had to let him go and rode him confidently.
&ldquo;He has raced close before and been hard to beat.
&ldquo;I thought he got a bit tired late but did enough to win.
&ldquo;Going forward he will improve on that because he is a nice horse.&rdquo;

ABR Weekend Review

Dual Pressure

ABR Weekend Preview

Aaron Bain Racing achieved another harness highlight on Saturday.
For the first time, ABR had a winner at all four major meetings around Australia.
The night started with star mare KISS, trained by Emma Stewart, finishing best to win the Congrats Hall Of Fame Inductees Pace (2240m) as the $2.90 favourite, driven by Ryan Sanderson.
Then, former New Zealand mare SWEET MIA, trained by Chantal Turpin and driven by Tom Callaghan, led throughout in the Lunchbox Lodge Spelling Farms Mares Qualifying Pace (1660m) winning by a half head rating a sizzling 1:52.4.
Next up was longtime stable star PARISIAN ARTISTE easily winning the Success Stud &ndash; Spelling Horses Services Trotters Mobile (1609m) at TABCorp Park Menangle for trainer Alex Ashwood and driver Tayla French as the $2 favourite.
The seven-year-old now has won 15 races and more than $280,000 in stakes and will always be remembered as ABR&rsquo;s first Group 1 winner.
Exciting news is that PARISIAN ARTISTE will now be heading to New Zealand to tackle the feature trots during the New Zealand Cup carnival next month.
To complete ABR&rsquo;s four of a kind, SHORELINE DREAM was a brilliant winner of the Hygain Sapling Stakes (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
Trained by Emma Stewart and positively driven by Wayne Hill, the two-year-old rated 1:57.7 as the red hot $1.22 favourite scoring easily.
ABR is very proud of the effort.
On Sunday, DREAMALITTLEDREAM was outstanding in dead-heating for first in the Barossa Ford &amp; Volkswagen Kapunda Spring Cup final (1800m).
Trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill, DREAMALITTLEDREAM was forced to sit parked and only grabbed in the last bound to share first prize in an outstanding mile rate of 1:56.9.
ABR hopes to have continued success over the next month with feature racing around Australia.
It all starts now with a busy weekend both in thoroughbreds with Morphettville Parks on Friday and Murray Bridge Saturday, and the standardbreds with big races around Australia.
No runners on Wednesday at Mount Gambier for ABR but we will be in action on both Friday and Saturday.
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<h3>Weekend star</h3>
Perhaps surprisingly, SHORELINE DREAM was trainer Emma Stewart&rsquo;s first winner of the SA Sapling Stakes (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Stewart has made a habit of winning feature SA juvenile races but that was her first Sapling. It was also the first win in the feature for reinsman Wayne Hill.
Stewart&rsquo;s partner Clayton Tonkin&rsquo;s father Peter won the 2001 version with Alistair Bromac.
For ABR, trainer Peter Bain won the 2015 Sapling with HILLTOP SOPHIA, driven by Aaron Bain.
This week. SHORELINE DREAM earned ABR&rsquo;s Weekend Star award with his excellent win.
The colt was crossed early coming from gate one, but Wayne Hill quickly came off and retook the front driving him like he was the best horse in the race.
After a 30.5 second first quarter of the last 1600 metres, Hill allowed SHORELINE DREAM to record 29.6, 29.7 and 29.6 quarters for the last 1200 metres and with those sectionals he was never going to be caught.
The red hot $1.22 favourite, SHORELINE DREAM scored easily by six metres with an overall mile rate of 1:57.7.
The colt was on the float home on Monday and will be aimed at further features in 2025.

Weekend Review

Aaron Bain Racing was delighted to welcome a new group of owners into the winner&rsquo;s circle at Strathalbyn on Sunday.
UTAH&rsquo;s win was a terrific way to welcome many first-time participants into the ABR success family.
It was fantastic to see a number of owners on course to cheer home the grey.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor are confident UTAH can progress through the grades and believe, in time, is capable of city victories.
On the harness front there was a winning double at Port Pirie on Saturday.
Wins by DREAMALITTLEDREAM and OPEN THE GATES took trainer Peter Bain&rsquo;s season tally to 17 winners from just 29 starters at an amazing strike rate of 59% and propelled him into eighth position on the SA Trainer&rsquo;s premiership.
Both winners were driven by Wayne Hill and found the front in their respective races.
Backed from $2.05 into $1.70 favourite, DREAMALITTLEDREAM, from gate three, had a short battle for the early lead with Ubetonred ($3.80) which had begun quickly from the pole position in the Ladbrokes Kapunda Spring Cup (heat one) over 1609 metres.
After a quick 28.2 second first quarter, Hill was able to back the tempo off for a 32.6 second 400 metres before dashing home a final 800 metres in a slick 57.7 seconds.
DREAMALITTLEDREAM beat Ubetonred by 2-1/2 metres with Lincs Poor Boy ($34), three metres away third.
OPEN THE GATES, a two-year-old filly, was having her first start for Bain after doing her early racing under the care of Emma Stewart in Victoria.
Coming from gate five, the filly did a bit of work to find the front but once at the head of affairs she was never seriously challenged.
OPEN THE GATES ($1.22 fav) drew away to win by 8-1/2 metres from Queen Crocker ($81) with Ella Kate ($18), a half-metre away third, rating a smart 1:57.3.
The filly is not expected to back up this Saturday in the $9999 SA Sapling Stakes (1800m) at Globe Derby Park but have her next run in the $8500 SA Golden Nursery Stakes heats at the same track on Saturday, October 18.
ABR star DEGARMEA TEALE remained unbeaten at Menangle in Sydney on Monday leading throughout in her heat of the Nutrien Equine NSW Breeders Challenge (1609m) for two-year-old fillies.
A winner of her only three starts, the filly led throughout for trainer Emma Stewart, driven by Cam Hart scoring comfortably by three metres rating 1:54.9.
With the victory, DEGARMEA TEALE has now qualified for the $25,000 semi-finals to be run at Menangle on Saturday, October 11.
On Wednesday, ABR has just the one runner at Balaklava.
CANNES, a three-year-old filly by All Too Hard, will line up in race two the Clare Valley Toyota Maiden (1050m) at 2.20pm SA time.
She has drawn gate two in a field of 12 and will be ridden by Ben Price.
CANNES had a jump out back in January before a break.
This time in she has had a jump out and trial to prepare her for a race debut.
Also on Wednesday, at Globe Derby Park, trainer Peter Bain will look to add to his super strike rate with HILLTOP BLOSSOM in race one, the Bianco Reinforcing Pace (1800m) at 12.09pm SA time.
The two-year-old filly is taking on older horses and will come from gate six with Wayne Hill in the sulky.
After an unlucky first up second at Mildura in May, she scored a tough win at the same venue a fortnight later before going for a break.
HILLTOP BLOSSOM is resuming on Wednesday and ABR hopes she can measure up to the best of her age during the SA carnival through the rest of 2025.
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<h3>Weekend star </h3>
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Handsome grey UTAH was the ABR weekend star with his impressive win at Strathalbyn on Sunday.
Having just his second start for co-trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor, the four-year-old finished powerfully from midfield to win easily in the SA Police Legacy Maiden (1600m).
Ridden by Jason Holder, UTAH (($3.60) drew clear to win by 2-3/4 lengths from Youbeeforty ($31) with Annanda ($7) a neck away third.
After beginning well from gate two, the grey was outpaced early as runners from wide draw pushed forward to try and take up a prominent position.
Holder did not attempt to get into an early burn and allowed the gelding to balance up midfield before starting to move forward from around the 800-metre mark.
He secured a trail up towards the leaders before going clear turning for home and scoring comfortably.
UTAH looks every chance of going through the classes and will appreciate trips up to 2000 metres at least.
Trainer Ned Taylor said it had been a great win by UTAH.
&ldquo;The race panned out perfectly for him,&rdquo; Taylor said.
&ldquo;It was a great ride by &lsquo;Stubby&rsquo; (Holder), and he got a nice trail into the race.
&ldquo;When he hit the front he really didn&rsquo;t seem to know what he was doing but it was almost certainly the first time he had been in front in a race.
&ldquo;He will he be all the better for the win.
&ldquo;Hopefully he is going to be a nice horse going forward.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder said it was great to return to scale to be greeted by a large group of owners.
&ldquo;I understand that UTAH was the first involvement in racing for a number of the owners,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;It was nice to ride a winner for them.
&ldquo;Aaron (Bain) and Ned (Taylor) prepared the horse really well today, made my job easy.
&ldquo;UTAH travelled really well in the run.
&ldquo;But when he got to the front he wanted to look around a bit and star gaze.
&ldquo;I think he is still learning what racing is all about. It was probably the first time he had hit the front in a race.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure UTAH can go through his grades.&rdquo;

Utah

Aaron Bain Racing heads to Morphettville Parks on Saturday with two runners.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor are looking forward to watching DUAL PRESSURE go around in race seven, the Hahn Handicap (1250m) at 4.09pm SA time.
Jason Holder rides and the gelding has drawn barrier seven in a field of 10.
The five-year-old didn&rsquo;t have much luck when resuming and finishing midfield in the Wylie Handuicap and ran well through the line.
He has been placed two of four runs second-up and ABR hopes he can measure up again among the chances on Saturday.
Holder knows the gelding well and won first-up on him back in March.
Punters took the early $8.50 on offer about DUAL PRESSURE, and he is now at $7.50 with the favourite Clarence at $4.40.
Improving mare BELLEZZE gets a chance to improve her record in race eight, the Sportsbet Get On Extra Handicap (1250m) at 4.49pm SA time.
The mare has drawn barrier 16 in an acceptance of 13 with one emergency.
After having not much luck, BELLEZZE was finally able to break through at her last start around this track and trip finishing powerfully.
Jason Holder stays in the saddle, and the mare should again prove competitive in a tougher encounter.
BELLEZZE is rated a $5.50 chance in early markets with the opening elect Nicish at $3.560.
On Sunday, ABR takes two runners to Strathalbyn.
UTAH starts in race two, the SA Police Legacy Maiden (1600m) at 1.50pm SA time.
The four-year-old comes from gate two in an acceptance of 15 with two emergencies and will be ridden by Jason Holder.
He was an excellent first-up third over the trip at Balaklava and the form from the race has stood up with the runner-up winning at the same track on Wednesday.
ABR would hope the grey will be competitive on Sunday.
SPLASH LANDING is ABR&rsquo;s other runner in race six, the Victor Harbor Motor Co Rating 0-56 Handicap (1600m) at 4.13pm SA time.
The five-year-old mare has drawn gate seven in acceptance of 12 but already there has been one scratching.
Stacey Metcalfe retains the ride after guiding her into an excellent third at Murray Bridge on September 17.
Owned by Grand Syndicates, SPLASH LANDING is well placed to figure in the finish.
<h4>Harness Racing Update</h4>
Harness racing heads to Port Pirie on Saturday with an impressive 10-race program.
ABR has two runners and sadly for trainer Peter Bain, one is in the final event at 10.30pm.
DREAMALITTLEDREAM will aim for a hat-trick of victories in race six, the Ladbrokes Kapunda Spring Cup heat one (1609m) at 8.30pm SA time.
She has drawn barrier four, but already there is one scratching inside bringing her into three.
Wayne Hill retains the drive, and the former New Zealand mare looks well placed again.
OPEN THE GATES is ABR&rsquo;s other runner in race 10, the Farinola Diesel Services Pace (1609m) at 10.30 pm.
Wayne Hill has the drive, and the filly has drawn gate five.
Formerly trained by Emma Stewart, OPEN THE GATES has not raced since April 26 when a winner of the Kindergarten Series Final at Globe Derby Park.
It will be good to see her back at the track.

Another feature race victory was the highlight over the weekend for Aaron Bain Racing.
LETSSTARTINHEAVEN was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the $20,000 IRT Tatlow Stakes (1720m) for two-year-old colts and geldings at Melton on Saturday.
The colt, trained by Emma Stewart, was an unbackable $1.12 favourite, and scored a comfortable two metre win from I Sea Red ($23) with Secret Service Agent ($23), 5-1/2 metres away third.
He was superbly rated by reinsman Jason Lee and recorded an excellent 1:53.7.
ABR hopes he can continue to prove competitive in the rich features later in the year.
At Globe Derby Park, DREAMALITTLEDREAM exploded from the mobile to win the Ladbrokes Black Book Pace (1800m).
Driver Wayne Hill had the mare away brilliantly for trainer Peter Bain and was never seriously challenged to score a 6-1/2 metre win rating 1:58.6
She has now won three of four starts for ABR and looks sure to work her way through the classes.
On Monday, NAROBI made a winning debut for ABR at Globe Derby Park.
Coming from gate six and driven by Wayne Hill for trainer Peter Bain, NAROBI did it tough over the last lap but was still good enough to score a one metre win in the Brereton Jewellers Pace (1800m) rating 1:59.0.
There certainly look to be more wins in store for the ex-New Zealand mare.
ABR heads to Balaklava on Wednesday with just the one runner.
PACIFIC CROSS steps out in race four, the BMD Class One Handicap (1600m).
Todd Pannell has been engaged, and the mare will come from gate seven in an acceptance of 12 but already there has been a scratching.
The five-year-old mare is having her first start for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor, having been purchased online during the middle of the year.
She has had two trials, both with Pannell in the saddle to prepare her for Wednesday.
PACIFIC CROSS has one win and seven placings from just 14 starts with her best form at 1600 metres and further.
ABR hopes for an encouraging performance at Balaklava.
<h2>Weekend star <img src="https://www.prism.horse/api/public/image/dd517e76ef7e4be0bd542dc1f8a3b8c1.jpg" alt="" width="630" /></h2>
LETSSTARTINHEAVEN was ABR&rsquo;s weekend star with an all-the-way win in the $20,000 IRT Tatlow Stakes (1720m) for two-year-old colts and geldings.
The Emma Stewart-trained colt came out quickly from gate five to find the front for Jason Lee who rated him perfectly.
LETSSTARTINHEAVEN rated brilliant 1:53.7 in scoring without being completely extended.
Winning driver Jason Lee is very impressed by the LETSSTARTINHEAVEN.
&ldquo;He was doing it pretty good,&rdquo; Lee said.
&ldquo;He was pretty casual in front.
&ldquo;If you really wound him up or asked him to get going he would have been a little more convincing.
&ldquo;This fella has got a few big ones coming up so I would have thought there is a bit more to wind him down yet.
&ldquo;His time tonight was pretty slick.
&ldquo;At his previous run he felt super coming off a helmet, tonight he was pretty casual and looking about a bit in front.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure he could have gone quicker if I had shook him up.
&ldquo;The margin might not have been impressive, but he felt super to me.&rdquo;

Aaron Bain Racing heads down to Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Wednesday with three runners.
We have to wait until race five, the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Rating 0-56 Handicap (1600m) for SPLASH LANDING to step out at 3.50pm.
Stacey Metcalfe has been booked to ride, and the mare has gate four in an acceptance of 15 with one emergency.
SPLASH LANDING had no luck when having her first run for ABR at Strathalbyn and will appreciate the extra trip on Wednesday.
She has continued to improve, and her trackwork on Saturday was good.
TWIN ENGINE steps out in race six, the Vale Denis Searle Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m) at 4.25pm SA time.
Jason Holder has the mount and has barrier seven in an acceptance of 16 with two emergencies.
The mare was farm from disgraced on her debut for ABR and will appreciate the spacious Bridge track, along with the extra trip.
She worked sharply on Saturday, and her coat is glowing.
TWIN ENGINE can be competitive on Wednesday.
SOLAR MIST completes ABR&rsquo;s day in race seven, the Carlton Draught Benchmark 56 Handicap (1200m) at 5pm SA time.
The grey has drawn gate seven in an acceptance of 18 with four emergencies.
Apprentice Matthew Chadwick will ride and claim 2kg off his weight of 61.5kg.
The spacious Murray Bridge circuit with the long home straight will suit SOLAR MIST which is a winner at the track and trip from two attempts.
The trip and track conditions played against him last time, and his win previously was outstanding.
SOLAR MIST should measure up on Wednesday.
ABR is taking a team to the Murray Bridge jump outs on Thursday and is looking to have a strong representation at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
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<h2>Harness news update</h2>
After a successful Tasmanian raid, star ABR three-year-olds BEACH DIAMOND and CAPTAIN PERFECT are now aiming for Group 1 features at Melton on Saturday, October 18.
After an all-the-way win in the Tasmanian Oaks, BEACH DIAMOND now has the Group 1 $150,000 Victoria Oaks (2760m) as her next goal.
Heats of the Oaks will be run at Melton on Saturday, October 11.
In early markets on the Victoria Oaks, BEACH DIAMOND has been backed from $8 into $5.50 and is fourth favourite behind stablemate Let It Roll at $3.50.
In Tasmania, with the better draw and an edge in fitness, the ABR filly scored a 7-1/2 metre win from Let It Roll.
There had been consideration given to send BEACH DIAMOND to Perth for the WA Oaks, but it was decided to keep her at home with trainer Emma Stewart to concentrate on Victorian features.
ABR also has IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT aimed at the Victoria Oaks, and she is also quoted at $5.50.
CAPTAIN PERFECT, a dominant winner of the Tasmanian Derby is headed towards the Group 1 $150,000 Victoria Derby (2760m), also at Melton on Saturday, October 18.
Again, the Derby heats will be run on October 11.
Betting agencies bet as much as $41 about CAPTAIN PERFECT, which after his Tassie win, is now into $15 with the favourite, Go Miki, which ran fourth in the TAB Eureka earlier this month, at $5.50.
The CAPTAIN has indicated he will love staying trips, and the Derby gives him a chance to prove it.

Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 62933 Weekend Review

Weekend review

Tue, Sep 16, 2025

Harness news update

BEGIN YOUR ABR JOURNEY

Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 62933 Weekend Review

Weekend review

Tue, Sep 16, 2025

Harness news update

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BEGIN YOUR ABR JOURNEY