aaron_bain | Aaron Bain News 60424 Abr Weekend Preview

The excitement level definitely builds for Aaron Bain Racing when we have runners at feature race days.

The past month has been fantastic for ABR on the harness racing front with a string of feature wins, but we are always looking ahead, and this Saturday is Sportsbet Finals Day at Morphettville.

ABR has three runners and expects all to be competitive around the main circuit.

MIDNIGHT MASS has been racing in great form and has run excellent seconds at his two most recent runs.

The ex-New Zealander lines up in race seven, the $105,000 Sportsbet Happy Trails Final (1600m) at 4.07pm SA time.

Jockey Manoel Nunes is in the saddle again jumping from gate six in a field of 13.

ABR would hope MIDNIGHT MASS could settle midfield and prove hard to hold off up the home straight in an even affair.

The TAB price assessors opened MIDNIGHT MASS at $5 but support saw his price come in to $4 at which price he is race favourite. It is an even race, but ABR is confident he can be in the placings.

ABR has two runners in race nine, the $105,000 Sportsbet Riziz Final (1200m) at 5.30pm SA time.  

A winner at his most recent run, SHOOTOOSE has drawn nicely in gate seven in a field of 16 and will have top jockey Jake Toeroek in the saddle.

Star international jockey Manoel Nunes keeps the sit on MIGHTY SAPPHIRE, also a last-start winner, coming from gate three.

SHOOTOOSE has won two of three starts at the track and trip. Saturday is his toughest test but there is no reason why he can’t run well again.

Trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor have opted to drop MIGHTY SAPPHIRE back from his 1400 metre win around the Parks circuit, but it should be noted he also has two wins from four starts over the Morphettville 1200 metres.

Being a final, there should be a strong tempo which should suit him as well.

MIGHTY SAPPHIRE opened at $7 with the TAB but had excellent support into $5.50 and he is now the equal favourite for the final.

SHOOTOOSE firmed from an opening price of $15 into $11 so has his supporters.

Again, an open race but the ABR horses both look certain to be very competitive.

Saturday night’s harness meeting at Globe Derby Park features heats of the feature Southern Cross series and ABR will be represented by the talented NO NOTTHEBUTTONS, trained by Emma Stewart.

NO NOTTHEBUTTONS has drawn barrier four in a field of six in heat two of the Southern Cross Series for three-year-old colts & geldings at 9.07pm SA time. He will be driven by Gaita Pullicino.

Sunday sees trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor take four horses to Strathalbyn.

HIGH GARDEN, an excellent second on debut for ABR, runs in race two the Lake Breeze Maiden (1350m) at 1.23pm SA time.

Manoel Nunes rides the four-year-old mare which has drawn gate 11 in a field of 18 with four emergencies.

MYRTLE CREEK contests race five, the Grand Syndicates Rating 0-58 Handicap (1600m).

It is a race for apprentice riders only and is a heat of the Montgomerie/Forrest Series.

Promising rider Brooke King, who can claim 3kg, will ride MYRTLE CREEK which has drawn gate six in a field of 14 which has one emergency.

The mare is at peak fitness following three runs from a spell and looks well placed.

METRICAL and SOLAR MIST complete the day in the feature event of the program, the Langhorne Creek Wine Region Vignerons Cup (1350m), race seven at 4.20pm SA time.

Unfortunately, METRICAL has drawn poorly in gate 17 in a field of 18 with one emergency.

Kayla Crowther has been booked to ride the gelding which has run well in two starts for ABR and is a two-time winner at the trip.

SOLAR MIST has drawn much better in barrier three with Taylor Johnstone to ride and claim 2kg off his weight of 54kg.

The four-year-old was a close fourth at Balaklava at his most recent run and certainly is worth thought with his light weight.

Sunday evening sees IM THEMIGHTYLUCY line up at Globe Derby Park in race four, the Weowna Kenny Pace (1800m) at 5.47pm SA time.

She will come from gate four with Samantha Hill to drive. 

Photo: Mightnight Mass


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One of ABR’s biggest fans is outstanding Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller.

The star jockey has 11 horses currently racing with ABR, plus small percentage shares in 22 yearlings.

Schiller is also involved in several United States standardbreds including recent winner PAXAMILLION.

KISS, one of his race team, last Saturday took out the Group 2 Breeders Crown for three-year-old fillies in Victoria.

“It was a tough win,” Schiller said.

“Her form is very good, but she has not had much luck with draws in the features.

“Her placing in the Victoria Oaks was outstanding.

“I had an amazing experience to start my ownership with ABR, something like the first 18 horses I raced all won – unbelievable.”

Schiller is a part-owner of the injury-hit FLETCH MAGUIRE plus the talented MAN UNITED.

“MAN UNITED is very talented but unfortunately the horse just never has long preparations. He has won all three starts for Aaron, but over the space of 16 months.

“I also share in the ownership of SHEZA MANIPULATOR which has just been retired and I look forward to being involved in her post-racing with her breeding.

“I love the involvement in harness racing and being part of ABR has been a winner.”