Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 63681 Abr Weekend Review

Harness racing is currently in the Aaron Bain Racing spotlight with feature juvenile races in Melbourne and Adelaide.

At Melton in Victoria last Friday, ABR was well represented and has six runners, all trained by Emma Stewart, going into this week’s $100,000 Breeders Crown finals on Saturday.

ABR had three heat winners at Melton, the first being LOUCASSO in heat one for IRT two-year-old colts & geldings Breeders Crown over 2240 metres.

LOUCASSO, coming from gate seven, rated a smart 1:56.6 in a two-metre win.

ONE MILLIE led throughout in heat one of Hyland Racing Colours two-year-old fillies over 2240 metres.

Driven by Cam Hart, the filly scored comfortably by three metres rating 1:57.1, 1.7 seconds faster than the other heat.

Then, CAPTAIN PERFECT led throughout in heat two of the three-year-old colts & geldings Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown (2240m).

He rated 1:56.1, 0.9 slower than the other heat but the ABR colt was given a relatively easy time.

Driver Mark Pitt was more than happy with CAPTAIN PERFECT’s narrow win.

“He was good,” Pitt said.

“He was pretty sharp and switched on tonight.

“He was a little bit lazy late, but he has had a couple of pretty tough runs lately.

“The little bit easier run tonight will top him off for next week.”

Pitt said he wasn’t concerned when the runner-up Viney started to make a late charge.

“He is a tough horse to get past and keeps on fighting.

“I was always confident he would hold him off.

ABR also had VicBred Super Series winner BEACH DIAMOND in the heats, and she ran an unlucky second and looks spot on for this week’s final.

Driver Cameron Hart was more than happy with BEACH DIAMOND’s second and is looking forward to the final.

“It was a different race to what we are used to with the slow sectionals,” Hart said.

“Our priority tonight was to qualify for next week.

“I was really happy with the way she ate up the line, 25.5 (seconds) home and I felt she was just getting into her best work the last 50 to 100 metres.

“She will be fine for next week.

“That was the slowest race I have ever been in early, a bit of a joke really.

“I am looking forward to next week and hoping we can get the cash with her.”

On Monday, at Globe Derby Park, ABR had two runners in the heats of the Southern Cross and both qualified for the $35,000 finals on Saturday, December 20.

HILLTOP BLOSSOM made a spectacular return to Globe Derby Park with an all-the-way win in her heat of the Allenby Lodge Southern Cross for two-year-old fillies.

Starting her career with Peter Bain, and now with Emma Stewart in Victoria, HILLTOP BLOSSOM was driven by Wayne Hill and raced away to win by 24-1/2 metres rating a quick 1:56.3, 0.5 quicker than the other heat.

Talk about doing it at both ends –ALOHA PRINCESS remained unbeaten with a brilliant victory in heat two of the Ladbrokes Southern Cross for three-year-old fillies.

Trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill, ALOHA PRINCESS came from barrier two and was attacked early for the front but held control before dashing clear over the final 500 metres to win by 25-1/2 metres rating 1:57.7.

It was a full 1.0 second faster than Brighton took in the first heat.

Going to make for interesting finals at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, December 20.

On the thoroughbred front, only one runner for ABR at Strathalbyn on Wednesday - and we have to wait until the final event.

LADY SKYLLA is engaged in race seven, The Times and Fleurieu Sun Benchmark 56 Handicap (1200m) at 5.10pm SA time.

Todd Pannell has been booked to ride, and the mare has drawn gate seven in an acceptance of 17 with four emergencies.

LADY SKYLLA had no luck for owners the Grand Syndicates on her first start for trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor at Clare on November 23 and has worked well since. ABR would like to think she can be competitive on Wednesday.

ABR will be a lot more involved at the big Christmas twilight meeting at Morphettville on Friday, then Saturday’s Gawler program.

It is certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Weekend star

A host of stars to choose from but we settled on two-year-old filly ONE MILLIE for her excellent win at Melton.

ABR has loved the daughter of American stallion Million Dollar Cam from day one and she shows a ton of promise.

ONE MILLIE started her career in the Gawler stables of Peter Bain and debuted at Globe Derby Park in a heat of the Golden Nursery winning narrowly but setting togues wagging with a last quarter of 26.9 seconds – the first time in history a two-year-old has run a sub-27 second at SA’;s premier track.

She had to settle for a second in the Golden Nursery final before being transferred to Emma Stewart’s stables in Victoria.

ONE MILLIE stepped out for the first time for the Victorian trainer at Melton on Friday in the Hyland Race Colours Breeders Crown (2240m), heat one for two-year-old fillies.

Backed from $1.90 into $1.75 favourite, the filly found the lead from gate two with Cam Hart in the sulky.

The star reinsman was able to get away with a comfortable 61.4 second first half of the last mile.

ONE MILLIE sped up with a 29.3 second third quarter then dashing home in 26.9 seconds and never looking in danger winning by three metres.

She rated 1:57.1, 1.7 seconds quicker than the other heat.

This Saturday gives ONE MILLIE the chance for a Group 2 win in the $100,000 Hyland Racing Colours Breeders Crown (2240m) at Melton.