aaron_bain | Aaron Bain News 61285 Weekend Review

An amazing weekend for Aaron Bain Racing!

A super Saturday at Thomas Farms Murray Bridge with our first metro treble, from just three runners at the races, then on Monday our first Adelaide Cup day winner with Dual Pressure winning first up.

It was the sixth consecutive metro meeting that ABR has had at least one winner.

Each Saturday winner had its own special significance.

SHADY THINKER made a tough transition from winning a maiden to success against well performed opposition in the Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic to record our best win.

Importantly, SHADY THINKER was selected by the ABR team at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Sales and with this year’s sale taking place this week ABR is out looking for more value purchases.

ABR Bloodstock Manager Barend Vorster has headed our team looking at the sale yearlings as we seek new stars.

It was fantastic to see BAKEEL back up his impressive ABR debut and we hope he can continue his way through the grades and pick up a feature race.

ABR has always believed NAVY GOLD was capable of winning a metro race and to see him do it was most satisfying and no reason why he can’t do it again.

Monday saw DUAL PRESSURE win at his first start for ABR.

He was a high-price purchase of $220,000 but ABR believes he will more than repay that price, Monday was just the start.

As we have reported it was the sixth straight metro meeting where ABR has had a winner, and the treble has continued the rise up the premiership ladder for trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor.

ABR heads to Strathalbyn on Wednesday with one runner, owned in Western Australia by Geoff Evans.

BEACH PAD steps up to an ideal trip in race four, the Terminus Hotel Strathalbyn Class One Handicap (2050m) at 2.50pm SA time.

Jason Holder rides the four-year-old which has drawn barrier nine in a field of 14.

The gelding has run well in both starts from a break and Wednesday’s race looks ideal for him to figure in the placings.

PACIFIC JEWEL accepted in race eight, the Goolwa Central Meats Benchmark 58 Handicap (1350m) but after drawing wide, it was decided to scratch and save for another day.

ABR Weekend Star

A host of winners to choose from for ABR but we have settled on SHADY THINKER.

It is very hard for a horse to win on debut in a maiden, then step up in grade and score again – especially against opposition with excellent form.

But that is what SHADY THINKER did on Saturday, finishing off his race in great fashion.

He stamped himself as a quality three-year-old with an outstanding victory at Murray Bridge.

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.”

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.”