Trainer Aaron Bain landed his first thoroughbred double at the iconic Mindarie Halidon on Sunday,
September 18.
Glacier Grey and Linas Magic, both ridden by Barend Vorster, gave Bain his first winning double in
just over a year since taking out his thoroughbred licence.
Bain said it had been a very satisfying day.
“We picked out these races for both horses a while ago,” Bain said.
“To have them deliver is a fantastic result for Aaron Bain Racing.
“I am really happy for all the members of the Your Ticket To Racing groups who own Glacier Grey.
“There are five Your Ticket To Racing ownership teams where we tried to give people a cost-
effective way of experiencing the thrill of racing.
“Glacier Grey has given them great moments but today is the icing on the cake.”
Bain’s plan nearly came unstuck when the four-year-old was listed as first emergency at acceptance
time, and it was only on race morning that he knew the gelding had a start.
From a wide draw, Vorster did a fantastic job to have Glacier Grey one off the fence midfield on
settling down in the Kelvin Westbrook Transport & Foodlot / Loxton Irrigation Centre Maiden
(1380m).
He brought the grey with a well-timed run in the home straight and Glacier Grey ($3.50 fav) scored a
1-1/2 length victory from Lady of Splendour ($11) with Boogie Nights ($3.80) a head away third.
Bain said he was certain Glacier Grey would continue to pay his way on the country and provincial
circuit.
The trainer said stable foreman Ned Taylor deserved most of the praise for the success of Linas
Magic.
“We were put onto the mare through a close friend of Ned’s in Victoria” Bain said.
“She was in a paddock in Victoria, being sold as a broodmare, we took a chance on her and today
she proved our decision correct.
“We have bought her along slowly and had her ready to race first up today after a year and a half
away from the track.”
Linas Magic ($6) was caught a bit wide in midfield with a trail on settling down in the Flea & Doug
Fullston Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m).
Jockey Barend Vorster asked the five-year-old mare to sprint up the straight and she wound up
strongly.
On the line, Linas Magic arrived in the last bound to score a nose win from Grand Host ($3.60 fav)
with The Publikin ($5) a head away third.
Bain said Vorster had ridden superbly to land both winners.
“He was able to get them into a rhythm early before timing their runs to perfection,” the trainer
said.
“His strength up the home straight was also crucial to both wins.”