Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61270 Shady Thinker

Shady Thinker stamped himself as a quality three-year-old with an outstanding victory at Murray Bridge on Saturday, April 8.

Co-trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor claimed arguably their best race win when Shady Thinker pulled clear to land the $122,250 Magic Millions SA 3&4YO Classic (1200m).

Ridden by Jason Holder, the son of champion racehorse and stallion So You Think, started a solid $2.70 favourite and drew away to win by 1-1/4 lengths from Overstrike ($12) with Tripod Terror ($91), a half-length away third.

Shady Thinker came from gate 10 in a field of 11 and, after jumping well, was caught three and four wide in the run to the home turn.

Holder asked the gelding to lengthen, and he joined the leaders, but it looked like being a tight battle past the 100-metre mark.

Under hard riding, Shady Thinker responded and raced away to win impressively.

Trainer Aaron Bain said Shady Thinker was a three-year-old of untapped potential.

“He was challenged today and really dug deep,” Bain said.

“There is a lot of upside to this horse, he is a good horse.

“A big win, we were worried a little bit about his draw.

“Our Racing Manager Will (O’Malley) said, with the shute start, he was not so worried about the wide draw.

“In the end, he won with authority.”

Bain said no decision would be made on race day as to his next run.

“There are a few options on the horizon, and we may look interstate.

“Major owner Darren Thomas, of Seymour Bloodstock, said there were some offers on the table after his debut win, but we backed ourselves in not to sell.

“He said there was no amount of money that could but him, and he might be right.”

Winning jockey Jason Holder said it had been a huge effort by Shady Thinker.

“He was taking on well performed horses, some which had been placed in Melbourne,” Holder said.

“I was going to try and follow another of the fancies, but we jumped too well, and I ended up two lengths closer than we had scripted.

“I didn’t think they went too hard early, so I had to use my initiative and ride him where he was comfortable.

“The most pleasing part was when the challenges came, he had another gear.

“He definitely won me over today, I thought he had to prove himself, and he did.”