aaron_bain | Aaron Bain News 61242 Abr Weekend Review

Aaron Bain Racing stretched our winning Saturday sequence to four with the brilliant win by DUBAI FOCUS at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

As ABR gets the balance right between our fantastic base of Angaston Park and the Gawler stables, the winners are starting to come.

The run started on Saturday, February 8 when OVEREXTEND scored a comprehensive win in the Grand Syndicates Handicap (1050m) at Morphettville, ridden by Taylor Johnstone.

A week later, around Morphettville Parks, SHADY THINKER made a brilliant debut in the Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden (1000m), with Jason Holder in the saddle.

Then, it was ex-Singapore galloper BAKEEL which covered ground but was still way too strong for the opposition in the Happy 40^th Birthday Chris Bieg Handicap (1200m), ridden by Manoel Nunes.

Last Saturday, DUBAI FOCUS, ridden by Jason Holder, led throughout for an easy win in the SkyCity Handicap (1400m).

This Saturday, ABR will try to extend the run to five.

No runners at Wednesday’s midweek Oakbank meeting but still a busy week for ABR.

On Tuesday, at the Morphettville Parks trials, ABR will step out another two ex-Singapore gallopers.

MAKIN and GHALIB are set to trial among five horses we are taking to the session.

With the win by BAKEEL a week ago and the excellent third of ASIF on Saturday, ABR is looking forward to watching the development of the next pair.

Also trialling is quality mare EVERGLADE, newcomer GOODNITE MOON and consistent METRO LEGEND.

ABR is looking forward to next Saturday and Monday.

Saturday is the big Magic Millions raceday at Murray Bridge while Monday is the Adelaide Cup day program at Morphettville.

We expect to be prominent at both meetings.   

ABR Weekend Star

What a win by DUBAI FOCUS at Morphettville Parks on Saturday to claim ABR’s Weekend Star award.

With a bold running performance DUBAI FOCUS gave his rivals a galloping lesson.

Resuming from a spell, trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor had the three-year-old primed a brilliant return in the SkyCity Handicap (1400m).

Ridden by Jason Holder, DUBAI FOCUS, solid in the market at $4.80, led comfortably then dashed away over the final 200 metres to win by 2-1/2 lengths from Justa Star ($3.20) with Balistique ($9), three-quarters of a length away third.

The win saw connections pick up the first prize of $35,500 plus a SA Racing Rewards bonus of $21,120 – equating to winning a feature race.

DUBAI FOCUS has always shown ability for the ABR team but has been a little bit immature.

He was an impressive Gawler maiden winner on Cup day before going for a break.

With two trials under his belt, the three-year-old showed the benefit with a brilliant win around the Parks circuit.

Trainer Aaron Bain credited ABR Racing Manager Will O’Malley with the win.

“Ned and I were thinking of taking him to Balaklava last Sunday, but Will spotted this race and suggested it would be ideal, and he was right.

“With the Racing Rewards bonus, the owners have a good tally to add to their bank.

“It was a great ride by ‘Stubby’ (Jason Holder), he rated DUBAI FOCUS perfectly.

“He has come up to Angaston Park and ridden him in trackwork and really been a big help in getting the gelding to where he is today.

“I loved the way DUBAI FOCUS kicked in the home straight – he really gives his all in his races and will sleep well tonight.”

Bain said the gelding would have an easy week before being aimed towards another three-year-old race over 1600 metres at Morphettville on Saturday, March 29.

Jockey Jason Holder said Dubai Focus’ win was the result of excellent training to have him ready first up.

“I have done a bit of work on him, so it was good for him to put it out today,” Holder said.

“It was a good win.

“Will (O’Malley) had a game plan to let him stride forward and ride him confidently which I did.

“I got around the corner (400 metres out) and he was sharp.

“It was probably the last 100 metres I knew he would be too strong for them.

“It was a nice, dominant win.”

 

ABR’s Harness Success

ABR, in association with our good friends Summit Bloodstock, is proud of the way we have been selecting young standardbreds in recent years.

Our two and three-year-olds had great seasons in 2023 and 2024, and our first two-year-old to step out in 2025 was a winner.

LOUCASSO, a colt by Sweet Lou, rated a brilliant 1:57.4 in a comfortable 6 metre win in the O’Brien Electrical Pace (1690m).

Trained by Emma Stewart, and driven by James Herbertson, the colt is out of the well-bred mare Our Little Artist, a sister to former top performers Aspiring Artist, Rap Artist, Major Exclusive and last season’s promising Shirley Not.

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