Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 64062 Abr Weekend Preview

Friday was an emotional day for Aaron Bain Racing as we celebrated the life of our patriarch Val Bain.

Val was the devoted wife of Trevor, mother of Peter and Julieanne and Jenny, Nanny of Aaron and Amy, Bradley and Sam and Alex and Bree plus great grandma of Alby.

Not surprisingly, a massive crowd attended her funeral in Gawler while those who couldn’t attend watched via live stream.

Such was Val’s personality and demeanour, she would be imploring ABR to keep going, improving and growing the business and so we will on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

On Saturday, the Morphettville meeting will be shared between the main circuit and also the Parks track.

The promising CATHAY EXPRESS steps out in race one, the Quayclean Maiden Plate (1400m) at 11.25am SA time on the Parks circuit.

She has drawn barrier nine in an acceptance of 11 with Taylor Johnstone to ride and claim 1.5kg.

CATHAY EXPRESS has run well at both her starts, the most recent over 1100 metres at Murray Bridge on January 10.

The extra distance will suit her perfectly on Saturday.

CATHAY EXPRESS has opened second favourite at $3.70 behind the favourite Torpedoes which is at $1.90.

WOODSTOCK, scratched from Gawler Wednesday, has accepted in race five, the PFD Food Services Maiden (1200m) at 1.42pm SA time around the bigger Morphettville circuit.

The three-year-old has drawn barrier one in an acceptance of 13 with Jason Holder to ride.

He failed to flatter on debut in February last year. WOODSTOCK’s two recent trials this preparation have been good and would expect him to be more competitive on Saturday.

WOODSTOCK is a $12 chance in a very opening betting race at $5 the field with the runners sharing favouritism being Sayersitisn’tso, Uptown Monk, Yarrawizardharry and Prestige Ka Ying.

Impressive Gawler winner MRS PENNY CRACKER is ABR’s final runner in race seven, the Festival City Hire Handicap (2000m) at 2.52pm SA time, also on the larger circuit.

Taylor Johnstone stays aboard with a claim of 1.5kg drawing barrier nine in an acceptance of 20 with four emergencies. There were already three scratchings by Wednesday evening but none affecting the ABR mare’s barrier.

MRS PENNY CRACKER was due to run last week but has been ultra-consistent and should run well again in a tougher field.

However, she has been installed an equal favourite at $5.50 with Coorong Tycoon in yet another wide open affair.

On Sunday, ABR has four acceptors at Strathalbyn Cup day.

Talk about going from extremes. Last Wednesday, LARGS LEGACY drew the extreme outside gate at Gawler. On Sunday, she has gate one in the opening event, the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Maiden (1600m) at 12.55pm SA time.

Taylor Johnstone retains the ride after riding the filly at Naracoorte at her last run.

The track and trip should suit LARGS LEGACY in the acceptance of nine and ABR would expect her to run well.

ABR has two acceptors in race six, the Victor Harbor Motor Co Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m) at 4.05pm SA time.

STOKOMO has drawn 10 in an acceptance of 18 with four emergencies and Jason Holder has been booked to ride.

THERE GOES MY HERO fared worse with barrier 10 and Campbell Rawiller in the saddle.

It will be STOKOMO’s first run at Strathalbyn, but he should have no issues with the uphill run to the home turn.

He resumed from a slight break with an excellent second over 1107m at Gawler and the increase to 1350m suits ideally.

THERE GOES MY HERO is also having his first start at Strathalbyn, but his powerful finish will see him charging home.

He drops back from 1507m when fourth at Gawler on January 3.

The expected tempo should suit the five-year-old and he will be charging home.

FOLLOWING SEA accepted in race eight, the Springfield Farm Benchmark 46 Handicap (1200m) at 5.10pm SA time.

The five-year-old has come with a poor draw of 14 in an acceptance of 18 with four emergencies.

Connor Murtagh has been booked to ride.

FOLLOWING SEA has had two trials to ready for his return.

ABR will be looking for him to be charging home as he will find the trip a shade short.

Harness Racing

ABR had to wait until 10.46pm on Wednesday at Globe Derby Park to see three-year-old filly POPPY LANE contest the Seymour Group Concession Drivers Series Pace (1800m).

It was worth the wait as POPPY LANE, driven by ABR employee Bernadette Page, scored comfortably by eight metres.

Coming from barrier five, Page elected to stay out of the early action and was able to settle one-out, one-back but then decided to come around and have a dip for the front.

However, the lead wasn’t up for grabs, so she raced outside the lead before taking charge off the back and winning well.

No runners for ABR at Globe Derby Park on Saturday or Monday.

At Albion Park, IMA QUEEN BEE goes around in race nine, the Garrards Horse & Hound Mares Open Pace (1660m) at 10.12pm SA time.

An excellent second last week, she comes from gate three in a field of six with Pete McMullen to drive for trainer Chantal Turpin.

IMA QUEEN BEE has been a model of consistency, always running well from reasonable draws and she looks a good chance on Saturday.