Credit to the Aaron Bain Racing &ldquo;family,&rdquo; they know their horse flesh and are keen to join us on our path to black type glory.
Earlier this week, ABR announced our purchase of New Zealand three-year-old filly THUNDARA.
Within 24 hours, ABR&rsquo;s Sales &amp; Communications Manager Nathan Higgins reported more than half of the filly had been sold.
THUNDARA, trained by Stephen Marsh, has had just one run for a close up fourth over 1400 metres at Tauranga on Friday, January 2.
After settling slightly worse than midfield early, THUNDARA ran home powerfully to finish fourth to a stablemate, beaten a length, but only two noses away from second, and she was in front shortly after the post.
THUNDARA was bred by the successful Mapperley Stud which has asked to retain a percentage in the filly.
ABR&rsquo;s High Performance &amp; Racing Manager Will O&rsquo;Malley is excited about the filly&rsquo;s on-going value.
Apart from her efforts on the track, he believes she has excellent residual value in the breeding barn.
Her grand dam Thunderchine has produced 10 winners from 14 foals to race, including stakes winner Thunder Lady, which won a Wakeful Stakes then ran 2nd in a VRC Oaks, and has produced the stakes-placed Lady Peregrine.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor hope she might be able to develop into an SA Oaks chance.
She is a filly, ABR would look to kick off at 1400m in Adelaide and build out to the SA Oaks of 2000m on April 26, with then a possible view to the Queensland Oaks over 2200m on June 6.
Trainers Aaron Bain and &ldquo;birthday boy&rdquo; Ned Taylor have two acceptors at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Two-year-old filly ZOUWIN steps out in race one, the Bryan Guy Memorial 2YO Plate (1000m) at 11.59am SA time.
She has drawn barrier eight in a field of eight, with Taylor Johnstone to ride and claim 1.5kg off her minimum weight of 54.5kg. One of the acceptors, the McEvoy-trained Nicctini has been scratched.
ABR likes ZOUWIN which has won her jump out, then trial at Morphettville and Murray Bridge, respectively.
A daughter of Zousain, the filly has good natural speed but is going to face tough opposition on debut.
Volstar, from the Phillip Stokes stable, was super impressive winning a trial at Gawler.
Betting agencies have listed Volstar as the favourite at $2.60 with ZOUWIN at $3.20
ABR&rsquo;s other runner is the ultra-consistent STOKOMO in race eight, the Garry March &ndash; Life Member Handicap (1200m) at 4.02pm SA time.
The five-year-old has drawn barrier two in a field of 13 with heavyweight jockey Campbell Rawiller to ride.
STOKOMO resumed from a slight break with a good second at Gawler on January 3 over 1107m and will appreciate the extra ground around the bigger circuit.
He has never previously raced at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge but the wide open circuit should suit perfectly.
In a very open betting race, STOKOMO is the $6 favourite.
<h3>Harness Racing</h3>
No runners for ABR at Globe Derby on Saturday, but two at the track on Monday.
NAROBI will contest race five the Lyndoch Motors Pace (2070m) at 3.37pm SA time.
Wayne Hill will drive for trainer Peter Bain coming from gate five.
The mare disappointing when running at Globe Derby Park on December 1 but there were excuses and ABR expects her to be run well on Monday.
Fields for Globe Derby Park on Tuesday come out late on Friday but ABR is expecting to have quality mares MIKIS BEAUTY and DREAMALITTLEDREAM engaged.
They have been nominated for heats of a Mares Classic over 1800 metres which will culminate in a $15,000 final on January 24.

Aaron Bain Racing

ABR Weekend Preview

Aaron Bain

It is a busy time of year for Aaron Bain Racing with the round of yearling sales throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The sales give the opportunity for the ABR team to find the next Winx or Black Caviar as we continue to build the brand.
Aaron Bain, director of ABR, is at the Gold Coast this week, looking for our first Group 1 winner.
Speaking of that, ABR hopes we might have found a Group winner in New Zealand, a three-year-old filly called THUNDARA.
She has had just one run for a close up fourth over 1400 metres at Tauranga on Friday, January 2.
After settling slightly worse than midfield early, THUNDARA ran home powerfully to finish fourth to a stablemate, beaten a length, but only two noses away from second, and she was in front shortly after the post.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor hope she might be able to develop into an SA Oaks chance, and perhaps the Queensland Oaks this year.
THUNDARA was bred by the successful Mapperley Stud which has asked to retain a percentage in the filly.
It would be remiss not to wish co-trainer Ned Taylor a &ldquo;Happy Birthday.&rdquo;
Co-trainer Aaron Bain said Ned&rsquo;s work was second to none and ABR is pumped to have him steering the ship for a big 2026.
No runners for ABR on Wednesday at Strathalbyn.
&nbsp;
<h3>Harness Racing</h3>
NAROBI bounced back to her best at Gawler on Monday.
Despite an incredible betting drift from $1.50 out to $2.30, at which price she was still favourite, NAROBI found the front from gate five and gave nothing else a chance.
Trainer Peter Bain has done a great job to have the mare back and firing and it was a classic drive by Wayne Hill.
At Maryborough in Victoria on Monday, ABR&rsquo;s SIGNATURE LOOK made a winning debut in the Vital Signs 3YO Maiden (1690m).
Trained by Emma Stewart, and driven by Kate Gath, SIGNATURE LOOK rated a very quick 1:54.4 with a last half of a smart 55.1 seconds, all the more impressive because he was forced to sit parked for the entire race.
The colt tended to race greenly as well indicating he will continue to improve with maturity.
Tuesday saw two heats of a Mares Classic at Globe Derby Park culminating in a $15,000 Final (1800m) on Saturday, January 24 at SA&rsquo;s premier track.
MIKIS BEAUTY bounced back to winning form in heat one, the Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Pace (1800m).
Sent out a solid $1.40 favourite, MIKIS BEAUTY, trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill, sat parked from gate four but was too strong winning by 2-1/2 metres rating a smart 1:55.9 with the race run in four sub-30 second quarters.
ABR will have two runners in the final with DREAMALITTLEDREAM running an excellent second in her heat, beaten a head in 1:57.2.
<h3>Weekend Star</h3>
An outstanding win by NAROBI saw her classed as ABR&rsquo;s Weekend Star.
The former New Zealand mare found the front from gate five in the Lyndoch Motors Pace (2070m) and kept running giving nothing else a chance.
NAROBI crossed the line 30-1/2 metres clear of the second placegetter and rated an impressive 1:55.5, only 0.8 outside the track record held by former stablemate The Kapiti Express.
Trainer Peter Bain has the mare back to her best form and, hopefully, she can progress through the grades.
After an excellent first up win in SA for ABR, NAROBI had two unplaced runs having little luck, so Bain freshened her before a racetrack return.
He was so confident she was ready to produce he decided against a trial coming straight to the races and his judgement was vindicated.
&nbsp;
<h3>Vale Val Bain</h3>
The ABR family was shocked to hear of the passing of our matriarch, Val, on Monday evening.
Val, 86, passed away after a short illness, and without a doubt was responsible for the building of Aaron Bain Racing.
With a passion for harness racing, she bred and owned countless winners with the Hilltop prefix trained by her son Peter.
The boutique business was taken to the next level by her grandson Aaron, and she took great pride in his building of Aaron Bain Racing.
Val was a very proud woman when Hilltop Blossom won the 2YO Fillies Southern Cross final last month at Globe Derby Park.
She had bred countless feature winners but that was her first Southern Cross success &ndash; a race she had been chasing.
Less than two weeks ago, Val, and her husband Trevor, were at Globe Derby Park cheering on the ABR team, and excited about possible trips to Melbourne during the year watching her horses.
Deepest condolences to the Bain family.

ABR Weekend Review

If ever a horse deserved a win it was MRS PENNY CRACKER and Aaron Bain Racing was delighted for her ownership group to see her charge to victory at Sportsbet Gawler on Saturday.
Beautifully ridden by apprentice Taylor Johnstone, the five-year-old mare sprinted powerfully in the home straight to win easily.
Aaron Bain, principal of Aaron Bain Racing said MRS PENNY CRACKER was purchased with an eye to the future.
A well-bred daughter of stallion Winning Rupert, the mare has two wins and two seconds from her past four starts and importantly is now a metropolitan winner.
&ldquo;MRS PENNY CRACKER is a mare we bought to breed from,&rdquo; Bain said.
&nbsp;&ldquo;We leased her out to a good group of owners and were able to win a maiden, and now she is a metro winner.
&ldquo;Hopefully there is another win or two in her before the next breeding season.&rdquo;
Aaron Bain Racing has accepted with last-start winner FLIRT for the midweek race meeting in South Australia.
Originally due to be run on Wednesday, because of the extreme temperatures forecast, the meeting has been transferred to Friday when conditions are expected to be more pleasant.
FLIRT is engaged in race three, the Coopers Brewery Class One Handicap (1100m) at 4.40pm SA time.
She has drawn gate seven in a field of eight with Jason Holder to ride.
He was aboard FLIRT when the three-year-old filly led throughout over 1050m at Oakbank on December 19 to win her maiden.
ABR hopes the filly can make it two wins in a row.
&nbsp;
<h2>Harness Racing</h2>
ABR&rsquo;s quality mare Dreamalittledream defied an incredible betting drift to win the Ladbrokes Popular SRM Pace (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Monday.
After opening at $1.80, the six-year-old mare had drifted to $2.90 when the mobile drew away at the start.
Punters preferred Nicely Spoken, from barrier one, which firmed from $4.20 into $2.50 favourite for trainer-driver Samantha Hill.
However, it was her husband Wayne Hill, driving Dreamalittledream for Gawler trainer Peter Bain, which dashed up the sprint lane to grab victory by a metre.
Nicely Spoken, which had led, held on for second, with Lochinvar Camaro ($51), 2-1/2 metres away third.
Aaron Bain, manager of ABR Bloodstock, the principal owner of Dreamalittledream, said the mare was capable of reaching fast class in South Australia.
&ldquo;She has now won seven of her 10 starts since coming across from New Zealand,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;I thought her run in the recent Kevin &amp; Kay Seymour Feature was very good.
&ldquo;She had gate three on the second row, had to go back to the tail of the field, then got held up three times when making a run.
&ldquo;She is not the type of mare where you can start and stop when making a run.
&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s race proved perfect for her.
&ldquo;Coming from one of the second row, Wayne (Hill) was able to trail through and sit on the leader.
&ldquo;There was a good speed contest for the early lead, then mid-race pressure up front and all the while Dreamalittledream was in a comfortable spot.
&ldquo;When the sprint lane opened, she dashed through to win well.&rdquo;
Bain said Dreamalittledream was a versatile mare.
&ldquo;She has excellent gate speed if she draws the front and equally is just as good as a sit-sprinter.&rdquo;
<h2>Weekend Star</h2>
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yoNolKw_LwU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>
ABR could not go past Mrs Penny Cracker as our weekend star.
Consistency was rewarded when Mrs Penny Cracker thrashed her rivals at the Gawler metropolitan meeting.
The five-year-old mare, trained by Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor sprinted away from the opposition to win the Gawler Arms Hotel Rating 62 Handicap (1707m).
Given a beautiful ride by Taylor Johnstone, Mrs Penny Cracker ($5) scoring by 2-1/4 lengths from Chur Nibble ($2.20 fav) with Back Me Up Benny ($31), 1-1/2 lengths away third.
The mare had no luck at her previous two runs which had resulted in close seconds. On Saturday, Johnstone had her in the running line, out of trouble and brought her up to challenge the leaders turning for home.
She raced away for a well-deserved metropolitan win.
Trainer Aaron Bain said Mrs Penny Cracker has continued to step up to her challenges.
&ldquo;She has been a model of consistency for ABR,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;Perhaps the only question today was the step out to 1700 metres, but she has been attacking the line so well up to 1500 metres.
&ldquo;On her breeding we thought she would be a 1400 metre horse but was able to step her up to 1500 last time and she attacked the line really well and today relished the 1700 metre trip.
&ldquo;Taylor (Johnstone) said she is her fast little mare and loves her and they have a good association.
&ldquo;The mare has a good turn of foot and wants to be at the races. She gives her everything.
Winning jockey Taylor Johnstone said Mrs Penny Cracker deserved the victory.
&ldquo;It was great to get the win on this mare,&rdquo; Johnstone said.
&ldquo;She has been super consistent every time she steps out.
&ldquo;She has improved every time she has gone to the races.
&ldquo;It was really nice to see her run the 1700 (metres) out like she did.
&ldquo;She got a lot of confidence from her maiden win at Mindarie Halidon and has continued to step up ever since.
&ldquo;I get along really well with her &ndash; she is a great ride.
&ldquo;Credit to the ABR team, they do a great job with their horses and present them in great order.
&ldquo;It was a bit of a messy race early.
&ldquo;You never want to be three wide but today I think it worked in our favour.
&ldquo;We had heaps of cover and were able to pop out when we wanted to rather than being boxed in.
&ldquo;She cruised up around the corner and had them covered at the finish.&rdquo;

Mrs Penny Cracker wins

Aaron Bain Racing bounces into 2026 with a good representation at our home track of Sportsbet Gawler on Saturday.
We trust everyone had a safe and enjoyable New Year celebration and hopefully Gawler gives us a chance to celebrate the festive season. 
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GD9S-mvLcUY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>
&nbsp;
ABR accepted with five runners but will head to the meeting with just four.
Race one number one with STOKOMO kicks off our day in the Paxton Street Self Storage Handicap (1107m) at 12.32pm SA time.
Jake Toeroek has been booked to ride, and the gelding has drawn gate three in an acceptance of eight.
The five-year-old has had a short break since finishing fifth at Morphettville on September 20. He had a nice jump out over 1000 metres at Murray Bridge on December 11.
Trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor believe STOKOMO should run well on his return to the track.
After opening at $7.50, he drifted out to $11 before firming to $10 with the favourite Major Rumble at $3.30.
DISCREETLY BLUE has his first run for ABR in race three the Sanders Fodder Maiden (1207m) at 1.44pm SA time.
Purchased by Grand Syndicates, the four-year-old hasn&rsquo;t raced since May 14.
DISCREETLY BLUE has barrier four in an acceptance of 11, but there has already been one scratching. Jason Holder will be in the saddle.
Holder rode the gelding when a 1000 metre trial winner at Murray Bridge on December 11.
DISCREETLY BLUE has been placed in five of his nine starts and ABR is hoping he can break through for the stable.
Betting agencies had DISCREETLY BLUE at $5.50 and he has shortened into $4.40 with the favourite Act Natural at $2.25.
FLIRT accepted in race four the Kingsford Hotel but the trainers opted to scratch from her extreme outside draw and save her for another day.
Unlucky THERE GOES MY HERO lines up in race six the Holdfast Insurance Brokers Handicap (1507m) at 3.27pm SA time.
He loves racing at Gawler but is still looking for a run after his fifth at the track on December 13 when held up badly.
THERE GOES MY HERO looks well placed with a slight step up in distance jumping from barrier five in an acceptance of 11 with apprentice Matthew Chadwick to ride and claim 3kg bringing him with just 54kg, on the minimum.
Some betting agencies opened THERE GOES MY HERO at $15 but he was quickly into $8 and has since firmed into a more realistic $7 behind the $3.80 into $3.30 favourite Flaming Navy.
ABR&rsquo;s final runner is another unlucky galloper MRS PENNY CRACKER which will contest race nine, the Gawler Arms Hotel Handicap (1707m) at 5.30pm.
She has drawn barrier four in an acceptance of 15 with three emergencies. Apprentice Taylor Johnstone is aboard again claiming 1.5kg.
The mare has run well without much luck at her two runs after a maiden win at Mindarie Halidon. Again, the step up in trip should suit.
MRS PENNY CRACKER has been backed from $6 into $4.80 behind the $3.60 favourite, Chur Nibble.
Just the one runner for ABR at Strathalbyn on Sunday.
LADY SKYLLA contests the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Rating 0-56 Handicap (1600m) at 3.53pm SA time.
The mare has drawn barrier four in an acceptance of 12.
Star rider Rochelle Milnes jumps aboard and LADY SKYLLA will have blinkers on for the second time.
The Grand Syndicates-owned mare has finished well back in three runs for ABR but has not had any luck and is definitely working better than her form suggests.
Hopefully, she can prove more competitive on Sunday.
<h3>Harness Racing</h3>
Two runners for ABR at Globe Derby Park on Monday.
HILLTOP CRUSADER lines up in race four the Kevin &amp; Kay Seymour Pace (2230m) at 3.28pm.
The five-year-old is trained by Peter Bain and will be driven by Wayne Hill.
HILLTOP CRUSADER didn&rsquo;t have much luck at his last run on December 7 and has won three of his eight starts.
He should be competitive.
DREAMALITTLEDREAM is ABR&rsquo;s other runner in race seven, the Ladbrokes Popular SRM Pace (1800m) at 5.27pm SA time.
The mare will wear saddlecloth eight, starting from gate one on the second row.
Trained by Peter Bain, she will be driven by Wayne Hill.
DREAMALITTLEDREAM did a huge job at her last run finishing fifth in the $25,000 feature at her last run coming from a shocking barrier draw.
Hill will no doubt be seen to advantage on Monday and the mare definitely can return to the winner&rsquo;s list.

Aaron Bain Racing is excited heading into 2026 looking to build the business and give more wins to our loyal, and growing band of owners.
2025 has proved to be another growing year for ABR with good successes with both the thoroughbred and standardbred parts of the business but it was also a transition year.
The performed thoroughbreds which gave ABR such a wonderful start are reaching the end of their racing lives and being rehomed allowing the younger stars such as SHADY THINKER and ONE MORE SONG to come through.
Going into 2026, ABR has 50 unraced two and three-year-olds to bring to the races along with six horses we have purchased from New Zealand.
Those numbers are enough to see trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor and the staff jump out of bed each morning to see their development, so we are looking forward to many new ABR runners in 2026.
No more starters for ABR in 2025 nor at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on New Year&rsquo;s Day but ABR will have good representation at our home Sportsbet Gawler track on Saturday.
See the weekend preview for what is ahead as we build into 2026.
ABR wishes everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year and be ready for a great ride on the &lsquo;Bain Train&rsquo; in 2026.
&nbsp;
<h2>Harness Racing</h2>
Another fantastic year for ABR with our standardbreds landing feature race victories throughout the year.
We capped 2025 with Breeders Crown wins with three-year-olds BEACH DIAMOND and CAPTAIN PERFECT while two-year-old LOUCASSO stamped himself as perhaps the most exciting of his age group.
That trio should all have outstanding campaigns in 2026.
The mainstream media haven&rsquo;t picked it up, but ABR cannot give enough praise to our SA trainer Peter Bain who finished 2025 with an incredible strike rate of 50% winners to runners.
Bain had 28 winners from 56 starters, truly an amazing performance.
And we also have to give praise to our Victorian trainer Emma Stewart who places her horses so well in SA. She had an incredible 25 winners from 34 starters. Mind blowing.
So with Emma and Peter in charge of our standardbreds, ABR is looking forward to another fantastic year in 2026.
On Tuesday, Bain made the trip to Mildura and returned with a winner, ABR&rsquo;s POPPY LANE, driven by Wayne Hill.
&nbsp;
<h2>Weekend Star</h2>
Two-year-old filly POPPY LANE was ABR&rsquo;s Weekend Star with a powerful win at Mildura on Tuesday.
Taking on the older horses, POPPY LANE, trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill, scored a seven-metre win in the Park Douglas Printing Maiden (1790m).
Coming from gate two, the daughter of stallion Vincent, settled outside the lead for the first 100 metres before assuming control and never being seriously challenged.
She rated an excellent 1:58.2 with the most impressive part being her third quarter of the last 1600 metres in 28.3 seconds. It was that quarter which separated POPPY LANE from her rivals.
The filly showed early promise in SA but was sent to Emma Stewart in Victoria for her early racing and had three runs in the Vicbred Super Series before coming back to Peter Bain&rsquo;s Gawler stables.
She trialled nicely before heading up to Mildura and winning impressively. 
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MY-o9SVQsCk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>
&nbsp;

Aaron Bain Racing wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope Santa arrives bearing gifts and Thursday is a day to eat, drink (in moderation) and be merry.
It may be holiday time for many but not for ABR with a host of meetings where we hope to have some joy.
An excellent lead in to Christmas week with a winning double at the Sportsbet Oakbank Christmas twilight meeting last Friday with FLIRT and OH LOVEY NO winning in consecutive races for trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor.
The trainers pulled the right rein when opting to run FLIRT at Oakbank.
The three-year-old filly was also an acceptor at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on the following day, but the trainers decided to run her in the Stateliner Coaches Maiden (1050m) at the course of natural history.
Flirt ($3.50 fav) began well from, gate six and jockey Jason Holder allowed her to stride to the lead coming down the hill.
At the 200-metre mark, Tiddy Widdy ($5.50) moved up to challenge, but the ABR filly responded and drew clear to win by three-quarters of a length. Roomerhasit ($101) was two lengths away third.
Trainer Aaron Bain said FLIRT had grown and matured since her last run as a two-year-old.
&ldquo;It was a lovely win first up from a nice break,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;A lot of new owners on board with us through the Club Sports Group, their first win in the colours as well.
&ldquo;FLIRT did us proud today.&rdquo;
Winning jockey Jason Holder was not surprised by FLIRT&rsquo;S victory.
&ldquo;She had been trialling well and brought that to the races today,&rdquo; Holder said.
&ldquo;I thought that was all she had to do. I was positive, went forward and dictated the race.
&ldquo;What I liked about her was that she heard a challenge and when I asked her, she responded.
&ldquo;I think she has a lot of upside.&rdquo;
Strong staying mare OH LOVEY NO produced a powerful finish to grab victory in the Emmetts Plate (2150m) at the Christmas twilight meeting at Sportsbet Oakbank.
Read more in the ABR Weekend Star item.
Saturday saw HILLTOP BLOSSOM take out the Listed Southern Cross Final for two-year-old fillies, trained by Emma Stewart, driven by Wayne Hill and owned and bred by Val Bain.
At Albion Park, IMA QUEEN BEE came from an awkward draw to win a Mares Band 5 Pace for trainer Chantal Turpin and driver Pete McMullen, rating an excellent 1:51.8.
No runners for ABR before Christmas Day.
LADY SKYLLA accepted at Strathalbyn, but trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor felt the draw was against her so she was scratched and will accept at Naracoorte on Sunday.
Weekend star
OH LOVEY NO was named our Weekend Star following her last-to-first victory at Sportsbet Oakbank.
Her win gave trainers Aaron Bain &amp; Ned Taylor a running double as they prepared FLIRT in the Stateline Coaches Maiden.
Whereas FLIRT led throughout, OH LOVEY NO came from last with a typical strong staying effort.
Trainer Aaron Bain said connections collected nearly $20,000 in stakes and Racing Rewards bonuses for winning a provincial Class One Handicap.
&ldquo;OH LOVEY NO has done a good job since coming into the stable.
&ldquo;The win today takes her stakes to more than $70,000 in prizemoney and Racing Rewards bonuses,&rdquo; Bain said.
&ldquo;She has had two wins, four seconds and a third from her last seven runs for us.
&ldquo;Today was a typical staying performance and she was strong through the line.
&ldquo;We will be looking to eventually try to find a suitable metro race for her going forward.
&ldquo;Even though she is five, the mare is still lightly raced and Ned and I believe she will continue to improve with age and experience.&rdquo;
Easy in betting drifting from $2.70 to $4.40, the five-year-old mare won by a long neck from Youbeeforty ($4.80) with Fiora Blue ($7), a length away third.
Rider Matthew Chadwick, who has built up a good record on the winner, allowed her to settle last in the field of seven and didn&rsquo;t really start asking her to lengthen until the home straight.
It took OH LOVEY NO a while to gather momentum, but she hit overdrive over the final 200 metres and arrived in time to gather victory.
Winning jockey Matthew Chadwick said OH LOVEY NO had been strong through the line.
&ldquo;Because I know her, I didn&rsquo;t get flustered when we were still last coming down the hill,&rdquo; Chadwick said.
&ldquo;With a long straight at Oakbank I knew she would gather momentum and be hard to hold off and so it proved.
&ldquo;Her last 200 metres was very good and I&rsquo;m she can continue to stand up in staying races.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

ABR Weekend Review | 24 Dec 2025

Oh Lovey No

Flirt

Just the one day of thoroughbred racing for Aaron Bain Racing this weekend.
On Friday, ABR ventures to Sportsbet Oakbank with four runners.
At Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Saturday, ABR had two acceptors, but neither will run.
Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor felt it was too much to back up WHERES MY HERO, so unlucky at Gawler last Saturday, while FLIRT was preferred for Oakbank on Friday.
ABR&rsquo;s day at the course of natural history in the Adelaide Hills starts in race three, the Stateliner Coaches Maiden (1050m) at 3.20pm SA time.
FLIRT has accepted and drawn gate six in an acceptance of 17. She is the first emergency but already there is a scratching so is assured of a run.
Jason Holder has been booked to ride.
FLIRT has also accepted at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Saturday and a decision on where she starts could be made at late as Friday morning.
The three-year-old filly has had just the two starts, and only one for ABR at Gawler in July.
She has won a trial at Oakbank, then third in one at Murray Bridge to prepare her for a return to racing.
Next up, unfortunately, ABR has two runners in race four, the Emmetts Class One Plate (2150m) at 4pm SA time.
It is not ideal for runners to clash but the event suits both KING EDWARD and OH LOVEY NO.
KING EDWARD has drawn barrier two in a field of nine with Campbell Rawiller to ride.
Apprentice Matt Chadwick has a good record on OH LOVEY NO and is back in the saddle, claiming 2kg and coming from gate eight.
A maiden winner over 1800m at Clare two runs ago, KING EDWARD looks suited to the extra ground at Oakbank.
OH LOVEY NO has been a model of consistency for ABR, and her last two seconds have been excellent. She gets the chance to go one better on Friday.
NAVY GOLD completes ABR&rsquo;s day in race five, the Harcourts Adelaide Hill Rating 0-56 Handicap (1900m) at 4.40pm SA time.
He has drawn barrier two in a field of 11 with Campbell Rawiller to ride.
ABR is looking for a better showing from NAVY GOLD.
<h2>Harness Racing</h2>
Buoyed by three Group 2 Breeders Crown wins last Saturday, ABR heads to Globe Derby Park on Saturday looking for Southern Cross successes.
ABR has two runners in the finals.
Unbeaten ALOHA PRINCESS will be out to make it four straight in the Listed $35,000 Ladbrokes 3YO Fillies Southern Cross Final (2230m), race four at 7.05pm SA time.
The Peter Bain-trained filly has drawn barrier five with Wayne Hill to drive.
Her heat win was super, but she runs into the impressive Brighton, trained by Emma Stewart, which has gate seven.
ABR also has strong involvement with the Emma Stewart-trained HILLTOP STAR which will come from gate one in race seven, the Listed $35,000 Allenby Lodge 2YO Pacing Fillies Southern Cross (1800m).
Wayne Hill takes the drive on the filly which won her heat in good style.
At Albion Park on Saturday, IMA QUEEN BEE, a game second last Saturday, lines up in race eight, the Garrards Horse &amp; Hound Mares Band 5 Pace (1660m) at 10.35pm SA time.
She has drawn the outside of the front row, barrier seven in a field of eight with Pete McMullen to drive.

Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 63904 Abr Weekend Preview

ABR Weekend Preview

Fri, Jan 9, 2026

Harness Racing

BEGIN YOUR ABR JOURNEY

Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 63904 Abr Weekend Preview

ABR Weekend Preview

Fri, Jan 9, 2026

Harness Racing

Share this

BEGIN YOUR ABR JOURNEY