Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61564 Abr Weekend Review

Every good run eventually comes to an end, and such was the case at Morphettville Parks on Saturday when Aaron Bain Racing’s fabulous run of metro successes was halted.

ABR is very proud that for nine successive city meetings we were able to come up with at least one winner and the challenge now is to be a prominent player during the upcoming Adelaide autumn carnival, starting this Saturday at Morphettville.

Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor believe the run of nine wins helped ensure the stable was now considered a significant training operation in South Australia.

It really was a marvellous March with 11 winners – 10 in the city! – at winning strike rate of 41% with seven placings as well at 67% placings to runners.

The winning run began the day after ABR’s excellent Gala Dinner on Friday, February 7.

Trainer Aaron Bain said it was ironic that one of the Gala Dinner guests was champion jockey Damien Oliver who recalled winning on the mare EVERGLADE at her first race start at Moonee Valley in September, 2022.

Oliver said EVERGLADE could be a problem in the barrier stalls and that was the case on Saturday when she came out about six lengths behind the field losing any winning chance.

For ABR, the focus is always on the future, and we are now looking forward to securing our first black type winner.

There will be two chances at Morphettville on Saturday with former Singapore galloper BAKEEL contesting the Listed $120,000 City of Adelaide Handicap (1529m) while DUBAI FOCUS is scheduled to run in the Listed $120,000 Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m).

Firstly, ABR heads to Thomas Farms Murray Bridge on Wednesday with two runners.

BETSY’S FLAG returns to racing in race five the Carlton Draught Benchmark 56 Handicap (900m) at 3.05pm SA time.

The five-year-old mare has drawn barrier 10 in an acceptance of 18 with four emergencies.

Manoel Nunes has been booked to ride.

BETSY’S FLAG hasn’t raced since failing at Gawler on October 25. She had no luck on debut for ABR at Morphettville Parks at her previous run.

Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor believe BETSY’S FLAG runs very well fresh and opted no to trial her before resuming on Wednesday.

THERE GOES MY HERO heads into race seven, the Ranvet National Apprentice Race Series 2025 Rating 0-60 (1600m) at 4.15pm SA time.

Western Australian apprentice Zephen Johnston-Porter has the ride and can claim 3kg off his weight of 59.5kg.

THERE GOES MY HERO has gate eight in an acceptance of 17 with one emergency.

The distance and spacious Thomas Farms Murray Bridge circuit should suit the four-year-old who ran well when third at Oakbank at his most recent outing.

Johnston-Porter is the younger brother of successful WA jockey Clint and already has made his park in WA. Hopefully, ABR can give him a winner on Wednesday.

On the harness front, ABR had great success at Melton last Friday with the semi-finals of the Nutrien Equine Series with our team trained by Emma Stewart.

ABR looks to have a strong hand in this week’s Listed $120,000 Nutrien Equine final for three-year-old fillies.

BEACH DIAMOND and IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT won the two semi-finals, each in convincing fashion, and a deadheat this week would be the perfect result.

Cameron Hart drove BEACH DIAMOND which rated1:54.3 in a 12-metre win in the first semi-final, then IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT recorded 1:55.1 in scoring easily by three metres for driver Jackie Barker.

In the two-year-old fillies semi-final, first starter FROLICNEARTHESEA produced an outstanding effort to sit parked and score for driver Mark Pitt.

She looks certain to improve with racing and looks a great chance in this week’s final.

In the Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings first semi-final SHORELINE DREAM finished fifth then in the second, LETSSTARTINHEAVEN ran an encouraging second to stablemate Cardigan Dan, beaten five metres.

All roads lead to Melton on Friday for this week’s finals.

Also on harness racing, on Sunday, trainer Aaron Bain has revealed a restructured model for 2025.

ABR’s emphasis in SA will be preparing horses to be sent to Victoria and Emma Stewart in an attempt to capitalise on the good prizemoney in feature races, such as Friday night’s Nutrien Equine finals.

There will be minimum horses prepared locally to race in SA.

For ABR it is about maximising return on investment.

Harness racing is still an important part of the ABR business, but nothing stays the same, and it is always about growing the business.

 

ABR Weekend Star

Debut harness racing two-year-old FROLICNEARTHESEA was ABR’s Weekend Star with her victory at Melton last Friday.

Contesting a heat of the Nutrien Equine Classic Race Series (1720m) for two-year-old fillies, FROLICNEARTHESEA came from gate six in her heat starting at $10 with her stablemate Willows Girl a red-hot $1.07 favourite.

Trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Mark Pitt, the filly sat parked, and despite racing greenly, powered home to win by two metres rating an excellent 1:56.4.

She looks a definite improver.

ABR also supplied the two heat winners for three-year-old fillies BEACH DIAMOND and IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT, so we are looking forward to the Listed finals this Friday at Melton.