Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 63966 Abr Weekend Preview

Credit to the Aaron Bain Racing “family,” 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’s Sales & 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’s High Performance & Racing Manager Will O’Malley is excited about the filly’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 2^nd in a VRC Oaks, and has produced the stakes-placed Lady Peregrine.

Trainers Aaron Bain & 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 “birthday boy” 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’s other runner is the ultra-consistent STOKOMO in race eight, the Garry March – 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.

Harness Racing

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.