Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61419 Weekend Review

Another double at Morphettville Parks on Saturday gives Aaron Bain Racing eight metropolitan winners from the last four meetings plus extended the Bain Train winning run to eight in a row.

Singapore-owned BAKEEL made it three straight for trainers Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor since coming into the stable while OVEREXTEND score his second metro win this preparation.

The excellent results have given the Bain – Taylor partnership an amazing winning strike rate of 21% for metro races with the ABR horses running at 40% for placegetters.

ABR will have our biggest representation at a metro meeting this Saturday at Morphettville with an expected acceptance of eight.

With the Matrice Stakes and Clare Lindop Stakes on the program, it is the start of the Racing SA Autumn Carnival, so ABR will be hoping to continue producing winning results.

No runners for ABR on Wednesday at Strathalbyn, with the big focus on Saturday.

 

Bathurst Gold Crown
The ABR-owned LOUCASSO had little more than a dash up the sprint lane to win his heat of the Bathurst Gold Crown last Friday.

Starting a red hot $1.25 favourite, LOUCASSO, trained by Emma Stewart and driven by James Herbertson, rated 1:55.4 in winning easily.

He will line up this Saturday in the Group One $150,000 Gold Crown Final (1730m) and will be one of the best hopes – we just need a good draw.

 

Man United

It is with much disappointment ABR has to report the retirement of the highly-talented MAN UNITED.

Unfortunately, his issues with his feet are continuing to cause problems, so trainer Aaron Bain has decided to end his racetrack career.

MAN UNITED had just three starts after being purchased from New Zealand and won them all.

His first win was on May 9, 2023, and he rated 1:55.9 in an 18-metre win.

MAN UNITED then rated 1:56.8 demolishing his opposition scoring by 39 metres on June 19.

 The gelding’s injuries saw him sidelined until September 27 last year at Gawler when he overcame race issues to win by two metres in an amazing win rating 1:57.3.

It was hoped he could return to racing but sadly the injuries flared again, and retirement was the sensible option.

 

ABR Weekend Star

BAKEEL stood up again as ABR’s Weekend Star.

The four-year-old has now won all three races since transferring from Singapore, stepping up in grade each time.

The Singapore-owned BAKEEL finished best in the Sportsbet Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.

Ridden by Manoel Nunes, the four-year-old, sensationally backed from $1.80 into $1.35 favourite, finished powerfully to score a half-length win from the front runner Nasho ($14) with Motorace ($21), 1-1/4 lengths away third.

 Nunes had BAKEEL away nicely from gate two and settled one-out, one-back early.

The leader Nasho sprinted for home turning into the straight and grabbed a break on Bakeel, but Nunes started working on the gelding and reeled it in.

While the margin was only a half-length, BAKEEL was powerful over the final 200 metres to win well.

Trainer Aaron Bain said BAKEEL would now head to the Listed $130,000 City of Adelaide Handicap (1500m) at Morphettville on Saturday, April 12.

“Nasho made him earn it today, but good horses find a way to win and that is what he did,” Bain said.

“We wanted to run today to go three weeks to the City of Adelaide.

“We’ve got through three from three, he has probably got just one more run in the prep, the City of Adelaide, it is his grand final.

“It is likely he can have a break with a view to the Balaklava, Murray Bridge and Gawler Cups in the spring.

“We think he will be stronger for a break but there are other options after the City of Adelaide should he come through it really well.

Winning jockey Manoel Nunes said it had been a good win by BAKEEL.

“The Morphettville Parks track straight is a little bit shorter,” Nunes said.

“I had to had to get to work a little bit early.

“He’s done a great job and won quite comfortably.

“I didn’t need to ride him so hard so now we look forward to his next run in three weeks.”