Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 63632 Abr Weekend Review

Another weekend, more feature race wins for Aaron Bain Racing.

Star mare KISS put up a superb effort to take out the Group 2 $100,000 APG – A Horse For Everyone Vicbred Super Series (2240m) at Melton.

Go to ABR’s Weekend Star to read a detailed coverage of her outstanding victory.

At Launceston in Tasmania, HUNGRY HIPPO devoured the Group 3 $75,000 Nutrien AG Solutions Globe Derby (2200m).

Driven by Alex Ashwood for trainer Emma Stewart, HUNGRY HIPPO ($1.70 into 1.40 fav) raced away in the home straight to score by 12 metres.

The three-year-old rated a smart 1:57.3 with a last half of 56.9 seconds but a particularly impressive third quarter of 27.8 seconds when he asserted his superiority.

Ashwood drove superbly having the winner one-out, one-back in the run.

There was a bit of drama with just under a lap to go when the horse outside the leader choked down but was steered out wide allowing Ashwood to let HUNGRY HIPPO stride forward and take control.

Ashwood said HUNGRY HIPPO was an improving three-year-old.

“He was quite good,” Ashwood said.

“He was real sharp tonight.

“Things didn’t pan out last week when we couldn’t quite wind up.

“But things worked out perfect today.

“We had to make it a staying test from the 600 (metres) because he doesn’t get around the corners that great.

“So, we had to take the sting out of the leader, and he was too good.”

HUNGRY HIPPO is now likely to have a break before being prepared for more Tasmanian features in 2026, one of which could be the feature Beautide in August where the winner earns a spot in the world’s richest harness race the TAB Eureka at Menangle in September.

The Beautide is restricted to three and four-year-old pacers that are Tasbred or 100 percent owned by a Tasmanian resident/s for no less than 12 months before the Eureka and 100 per cent trained by a licensed Tasmanian trainer for no less than six months before the Eureka and HUNGRY HIPPO qualifies as he is Tasbred.

The 2090m event is a preferential barrier draw based on age and sex.

The proven ability of Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock to “discover” New Zealand standardbreds was on show again at Globe Derby Park on Monday when Mikis Beauty made a spectacular SA debut.

Trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill, Mikis Beauty ($3.30 into $1.70 fav) raced away to win the Northside Trophies Pace (2230m) by a massive 44 metres rating a smart 1:58.4.

Coming from gate 11, Hill had the mare third last early before coming wide with a lap to go and dashed past her rivals down the back straight to win easily.

Mikis Beauty had moderate form on the South Island of New Zealand but had won at Ascot Park before being purchased by ABR and Summit.

Winning driver Wayne Hill was very impressed by Mikis Beauty.

“I didn’t expect her to win quite as easily as she did,” Hill said.

“There wasn’t an opportunity to go around and sit parked because the death seat was not an option.

“I opted to sit back and go forward with a lap to go.

“I was happy to sit three wide down the back, but she was travelling too well and felt she could sit in the breeze.

“But she felt like she wanted to zip to the front, so I let her.

“Once she hit the front she levelled out a bit and would have found a lot more if something came up to challenge.

“It was a good win first up.”

No runners at the midweek meeting at Balaklava on Wednesday. ABR expects to have just one runner at Morphettville Parks on Saturday and perhaps three at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Sunday.

Weekend star

Star mare KISS put in a herculean performance to win the Group 2 $100,000 APG – A Horse For Everyone Vicbred Series (2240m) for four-year-old mares at Melton on Saturday.

A heavily backed $1.33 favourite, firming from $1.80, KISS came from gate one but showed no early speed and driver Ryan Sanderson tried to get her off the inside and into the running line.

As a result, the mare went back to near last in the field of 11 before being able to take a position in the clear.

KISS got a trail up three wide with a lap and a half to go and obtained the spot outside the leader with a lap to go.

She was travelling so well she was able to half-length the leader and kept the tempo on.

KISS went clear going down the back with her rivals seeking to go forward and challenge.

With 400 metres to travel, the runner-up loomed behind to challenge, but KISS extended and went to the line to win by four metres with Sanderson just shaking the reins.

KISS rated 1:56.5 and came home her last 800 metres in a brilliant 53.9 seconds.

She has been a wonderful mare for connections with 8 wins and 8 placings from 20 starts for trainer Emma Stewartcollecting $193,360 in stakes.