aaron_bain | Aaron Bain News 61098 Abr Weekend Preview

Following ABR’s Gala Dinner last Friday, OVEREXTEND and NAVY GOLD have won to keep the momentum going - allowing our owners to #experiencetheTHRILL.

Navy Gold atoned for an unlucky second at Murray Bridge at his previous start with a narrow, but impressive victory at Oakbank on Thursday for a positive lead into the weekend.

It is always exciting when Aaron Bain Racing takes horses to the track for their first start.

Such is the case on Saturday with SHADY THINKER stepping out in race two at Morphettville Parks, the Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden (1000m), at 1.02pm SA time.

The three-year-old was bred by Seymour Bloodstock and Jason Holder will wear their colours, coming from gate two in a field of nine.

It is a perfect race to kick him off as the gelding is eligible for the $31,350 on offer from the Racing Rewards SA bonus scheme.

SHADY THINKER won a 1000 metre trial at Strathalbyn on September 24, then was given a break before returning with another trial win at the same track and trip, ridden by Jason Holder.

He is beautifully bred being out of the winning mare Fifty Ways which herself was out of the Group 3 and Listed winner Lovemelikearock.

SHADY THINKER opened at $7.50 with the TAB before support brought his price into $6 in a strong betting race.

ABR’s other runner at Morphettville Parks is BULLET WING in race four, the Dominant Handicap (1550m) at 2.12pm SA time.

Apprentice Taylor Johnstone will claim 2kg off the gelding’s weight of 60kg.

BULLET WING has drawn barrier six in a field of 11.

The trip looks perfect following the gelding’s unlucky second over 1400 metres at Penola on January 17.

Hopefully, BULLET WING can emulate OVEREXTEND which ran an unlucky second at the same meeting then won at Morphettville at his next run last Saturday.

The TAB opened BULLET WING at $13 but support brought his quote into $9 with Bad Detective a red hot $1.65 favourite.

On Sunday, ABR heads to Naracoorte with a team of four.

REIBY PRINCESS kicks off our day in the opening event, the Farmers Leap Maiden (1200m) at 12.58pm SA time.

Apprentice Taylor Johnstone has been booked to ride the six-year-old mare which has drawn the extreme outside gate in a field of 10.

The daughter of the stallion Strada is having her first run for ABR and has trialled soundly at Strathalbyn in readiness for the outing.

REIBY PRINCESS has one third from just six starts in NSW but has run nice races early last year and should hit the line strongly.

SHOOTOOSE steps out in race two, the Coopers Brewery Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m) at 1.33pm SA time.

Taylor Johnstone will ride jumping from gate four in a field of seven.

The six-year-old is a winner over 1200 metres at Morphettville and can do a lot better than his last-start seventh at Strathalbyn on January 26.

SHOOTOOSE looks well placed and ABR expects him to be very competitive.

PACIFIC JEWEL is ABR’s third runner in race three, the Trans Australian Livestock Maiden (1430m) at 2.08pm SA time.

The mare had absolutely no luck on debut for ABR when run off on the home turn at Morphettville Parks on January 29.

On Sunday, she has drawn barrier two in a field of 16, with four emergencies.

Taylor Johnstone will have her first ride on PACIFIC JEWEL and the distance suits her ideally.

Expect the mare to figure prominently.

ABR can have a lunch break then as we have to wait until race eight, the PPHS Rating 0-58 Handicap (1430m) at 5.15pm SAS time to saddle up ALFANO.

To complete the day, Taylor Johnstone will ride the six-year-old which has drawn barrier six in a field of 14 with two emergencies.

ALFANO was excellent when a first up third at Strathalbyn on December 27 before finishing midfield at Morphettville Parks on January 29.

The extra distance on Sunday will suit, and again, he should be right in the finish.

Morphettville trials

ABR had a solid representation at Morphettville trial session on Tuesday morning.

The trials were another chance for two of our ex-Singapore gallopers to show their ability with ASIF and BAKEEL taking part.

BAKEEL was impressive winning his trial while ASIF ran as comfortable second behind ABR’s RUBAMOS which caught the eye on his return.

Recent purchase DUAL PRESSURE looks headed for a strong campaign winning his trial unextended.

 

THERE GOES MY HERO was another ABR trial winner while DUBAI FOCUS finished second in his outing, again pleasing the stable.

EVERGLADE, ABR’s 2024 Thoroughbred Of The Year, was given an easy time finishing fourth but ABR was just happy she consented to jump away from the gates.

Another ex-Singapore galloper GHALIB was not on his best behaviour and refused to load for his trial and ABR has been quick to give him some lessons at home to make him more relaxed to go into the starting stalls.

All in all, it was a pretty good day of trials for the ABR team.