aaron_bain | Aaron Bain News 60552 Abr Weekend Review

Another Cup for the trophy cabinet.

Aaron Bain Racing congratulates the ownership group of THERMODYNAMIC following his win in the Jim Barry Clare Valley Cup (1800m) on Sunday.

Originally trained by the Hawkes family before heading to Chris Waller, THERMODYNAMIC joined ABR at the start of the year and has earned $60,650 with three wins, two seconds and a third from just eight starts to more than pay our investment.

It was an excellent ride by apprentice Brooke King and ABR hopes he can continue to build his profile.

He may not have won but ABR was very happy to see PARISIAN ARTISTE competing in the trotters’ section of the Inter Dominion at Newcastle on Friday.

Trained by Alex Ashwood and driven by Tayla French, PARISIAN ARTISTE ran a very good second in his heat of the championships, beaten by 4-1/2 metres behind Queen Elida, but 13-1/2 metres in front of the third placegetter.

The winner rated 1:57.5 compared with the 2:00.1 recorded by The Locomotive in the other heat.

Worth remembering PARISIAN ARTISTE was a Group 1 winner for ABR back in December 2021 in the Vicbred Super Series for three-year-old trotting colts & geldings.

On Wednesday, ABR will take two nice chances to the Balaklava race meeting.

ESKY runs in race two, the CEO Doug Hall Benchmark 58 Handicap (2200m) at 2.15pm SA time.

Following Sunday’s Cup success, apprentice Brooke King has been booked to ride and use her 3kg provincial claim.

ESKY jumps from gate one in the field of seven and should appreciate Wednesday’s trip.

HIGH GARDEN is ABR’s other runner in race four, the Adelaide Galvanising Maiden (1400m) at 3.25pm SA time.

The four-year-old mare, to be ridden by Jason Holder, has drawn gate one in a field of 11.

Owned by Wayne Mitchell’s Pipeliner Bloodstock, HIGH GARDEN was a very good second first up for ABR over 1100 metres at Gawler on November 7 when ridden by Holder.

The extra trip should suit her ideally on Wednesday.

Weekend star

With a win in the 2024 $40,000 Jim Barry Clare Valley Cup (1800m) THERMODYNAMIC had to be ABR’s weekend star.

The victory broke a string of close feature race seconds for ABR in the Gawler Cup, John Letts Cup and the Sportsbet Happy Trails Final.

Apprentice rider Brooke King’s instructions for THERMODYNAMIC were to lead and allow the five-year-old to bowl along in front which she did.

However, a rival, Sacred Kenshi, came from the rear to challenge shortly after mid-race, and rather than go with it, King allowed it to go clear but kept THERMODYNAMIC in a good rhythm.

With 400 metres to travel, she bought the gelding to the outside, assumed control again and went for home.

THERMODYNAMIC ($3.70 fav) wanted to lay in but was straightened by King and drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths from Imposing Suspect ($4.60) which had given chase with Sacred Kenshi ($5) a half-length away third.

“It was a brilliant ride by Brooke,” said trainer Ned Taylor.

“She summed it really well.”

Taylor said the increase in trip suited Thermodynamic.

“He has a few tricks, but I think getting him out to this type of trip suits him.

“Hopefully, he can continue on and give the owners a bit more fun.

Winning jockey Brooke King was overjoyed to land the Clare Cup win on THERMODYNAMIC.

“It worked out beautifully,” King said.

“He got to the front, and he pricked his ears, and I thought we were going a bit quick, so I steadied him, and we got a bit of a breather.

“I was not packing when that horse went around as it has done it before.

“It actually worked in our favour; it kept him honest right to the line.”