Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 63478 Weekend Review

A winning weekend for Aaron Bain Racing with successes on both Saturday and Sunday.

Tremendous to see DUAL PRESSURE back in the winner’s list at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

On the harness side, excellent victories at Globe Derby Park and Melton on Saturday, then Launceston in Tasmania on Sunday.

A great ride by Jason Holder saw DUAL PRESSURE prove too good for his rivals in the PFD Food Services Handicap (1550m).

Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor head to Thomas Farms Murray Bridge with four runners on Wednesday.

First starter STOCKMAN’S CHOICE steps out in race two, the Coonara Colts, Geldings & Entires Maiden (1200m) at 1.45pm SA time.

The three-year-old has come up with gate four in an acceptance of 13 with one emergency and apprentice Brooke King will ride and claim 2kg.

STOCKMAN’S CHOICE has had a total of four trials for his first start, and the spacious Murray Bridge track should suit.

He will carry the famous colours of the late Colin McKenna and is part-owned by his business Halo Racing.

ONE MORE SONG returns to the track in race three, the Team Poly Tanks Fillies & Mares Maiden (1200m) at 2.20pm SA time.

Top jockey Todd Pannell takes the ride, and the three-year-old filly has drawn barrier eight in a field of 13, with one emergency.

ONE MORE SONG has had Pannell in the saddle in both her recent trials and she should acquit herself well.

Improving stayer KING EDWARD steps out in race six, the Orange Pumps & AAP Industries Benchmark 56 Handicap (1800m) at 4.05pm SA time.

Jason Holder, an outstanding middle-distance jockey, jumps aboard the five-year-old which has gate five in a field of 13.

KING EDWARD was a strong winner of an 1800 metre maiden at Clare and should be competitive again, and no doubt, will be looking for even more ground.

ABR’s day concludes with NAVY GOLD in race seven, the Vinidex & Philmac Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m) at 4.40pm SA time.

Jason Holder retains the ride, and NAVY GOLD comes from gate six in an acceptance of 16 with two emergencies and there were already two early scratchings.

Holder rode the five-year-old first up at Morphettville on November 5 over 1200 metres when he worked home late.

The gelding has a win, second and third from three runs over the 1400 metres at Murray Bridge and should run home powerfully again on Wednesday.

ABR is hoping for a competitive day before heading into next Saturday with SHADY THINKER running at Kembla Grange and a good representation in Sportsbet final’s day at Morphettville.

Harness racing

Fabulous weekend for ABR with winners in three starts.

Trainer Peter Bain took out the Ladyship Stakes at Globe Derby Park with HILLTOP STAR, bred and owned by his mother Val, the family matriarch.

Bernadette Page had the drive.

At Melton, CAPTAIN PERFECT, driven by Mark Pitt, and BEACH DIAMOND, with Cam Hart in the sulky, were successful in the VicBred Super Series semi-finals for colts and geldings and fillies, respectively.

Clayton Tonkin, partner of trainer Emma Stewart was delighted with both wins.

“We took a good opportunity with Captain Perfect’s barrier draw,” Tonkin said.

“He loves free wheeling in front and was strong through the line.

“We will make it a staying test in the final.”

CAPTAIN PERFECT rated a smart 1:53.9 for the 2240m, 0.9 faster than the winner of the other semi-final.

Tonkin has a huge opinion of BEACH DIAMOND.

“She is a good filly,” Tonkin said.

“She never runs a bad race and is verry determined – she was really strong through the line.

“I would not swap BEACH DIAMOND for any of the fillies in the semi-finals.

“She is an exceptional filly.”

Tonkin said he expected reinsman Cam Hart to retain the drive.

BEACH DIAMOND rated an excellent 1:55.1, 2.2 seconds faster than the other semi-final.

On Sunday, ABR was successful at Launceston with HUNGRY HIPPO and HEZA PUNK ROCKER.

HUNGRY HIPPO won the Prelude of the Globe Derby Stakes and will stay in Tasmania for the $75,000 final at Launceston on Saturday, November 29.

He is expected to run again this Sunday at Launceston to ready him for the Sires final.

HEZA PUNK ROCKER did a strong job in winning heat two of the Golden Apple rating 2:00.0 which was 0.7 faster than the other heat.

The Golden Apple is a standing start race, and the $50,000 final will be run at Launceston on November 29.

Both winners are trained by Emma Stewart and were driven by Alex Ashwood.

ABR will be at Ballarat on Thursday with our star KISS lining up in a semi-final of the APG – A Horse For Everyone Vicbred Super Series for Mares over 2200m.

KISS has drawn barrier one and will be driven by Ryan Sanderson.

 

Weekend star

 

Hard to split ABR’s winners to name the Weekend Star but we settled on talented thoroughbred DUAL PRESSURE.

Gun jockey Jason Holder fired DUAL PRESSURE out from his extreme outside draw in a field of eight in the PFD Food Services Handicap (1550m) to settle second outside the speed.

A $4.20 chance, the Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor trained five-year-old, shot clear at the 300-metre mark and held on to score by a long neck from Stirrup Cup ($9.50) with Komachi ($10) a similar margin away third.

DUAL PRESSURE will now back up next Saturday at Morphettville in the $105,000 Sportsbet Happy Trails Final (1600m).

Winning trainer Aaron Bain said things had got it a bit tight late for DUAL PRESSURE.

“I thought he was home clearly at the 300 (metres), then at the 50 I thought what was happening,” Bain said.

“It was a really good ride by ‘Stubby’ (Jason Holder).

“They got pretty cheap sectionals early but then lifted the tempo from the 800 (metres).

“It was a calculated rider by ‘Stubby,’ but I felt the horse looked sensational in the mounting yard.

“Will (O’Malley), our Racing Manager and Ned said they have not seen him look better.

“Full credit to the team as they have built DUAL PRESSURE through the preparation.

“First time out to the 1550m this prep today, now next week he can go to the Happy Trails final.

“Hopefully the rain stays away next week as he is most effective on good ground.”

Winning jockey Jason Holder said it was his third win from five rides on DUAL PRESSURE.

“He’s been a good horse for me,” Holder said.

“They paid a bit of money for him, so it has been good to be part of it with Aaron (Bain) and Ned (Taylor).

“We drew a bit awkwardly but fortunately he jumped well.

“I was able to go forward and sit outside the lead.

“Coming to the turn I was a little bit worried, but he came back under me, then he found again which was great..

“Every time I was asking him he got out of his comfort zone and didn’t like it but then he reset which was good and probably won him the race.