Aaron Bain Racing | Aaron Bain News 61575 Abr Weekend Preview

Aaron Bain Racing has had a tremendous start to 2025, achieving city doubles and a treble as well as having at least one winner at nine consecutive metro meetings.

Still on ABR’s “to do” list is to have our first Group or Listed winner.

On Saturday at Morphettville we have two runners seeking to achieve that goal.

In-form mare PACIFIC JEWEL starts our day in race four, the Thomas Farms Handicap (1600m) at 2.02pm.

With her regular rider Taylah Johnstone required to ride for her master Andrew Gluyas, ABR has been able to secure SA’s leading jockey apprentice Rochelle Milnes who claims 1.5kg and should be able to use at least 1kg of that allowance.

PACIFIC JEWEL has drawn gate nine in a field of 17 in the event, which is a heat of the Autumn Series.

The mare hasn’t raced since March 15 when winning over 1550 metres at Morphettville Parks.

Price assessors give PACIFIC JEWEL little chance and have her at $19 behind the $2.90 favourite Spirit Of Camelot.

ABR’s first chance for a Listed win is with former Singapore galloper BAKEEL in race six, the $120,000 Sportsbet City Of Adelaide Handicap (1529m) at 3.17pm SA time.

Manoel Nunes retains the ride on BAKEEL which has drawn barrier 11 in an acceptance of 16 with three emergencies.

The four-year-old has been very impressive in all three runs for ABR and the increased from 1400 metres to 1529 metres around the spacious main track is ideal.

BAKEEL opened a clear $2.50 favourite with Air Assault next in the market at $5 but strong support has pushed the ABR star into $2.20 with the latter easing to $5.50.

Bold running DUBAI FOCUS is our other Listed race hope contesting the $120,000 Sportsbet Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m), race nine at 5.10pm SA time.

Jason Holder will be in the saddle and the three-year-old has drawn gate two in a field of 15.

It is a tough contract to try and lead throughout around the spacious Morphettville circuit but expect DUBAI FOCUS to give his rivals something to chase.

The consensus after his last-start second was that perhaps he didn’t bowl along in his comfort zone and was held back to the field. He certainly kept finding when challenged and expect him to bowl along.

Price assessors have DUBAI FOCUS third favourite at $5 behind the visitors Athanatos ($2.40 fav) and Conchiero ($4.40).

 

HARNESS RACING UPDATE

ABR is well represented at Friday’s Nutrien Equine Class Series finals at Melton in Melbourne.

Our two runners in the Listed $125,000 Three-Year-Old Fillies final (2240m) have both drawn the back row but hopefully can get good runs through and be competitive.

They, as are all the ABR runners, prepared by champion trainer Emma Stewart. It is race two at 6.03pm SA time.

IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT will come from barrier nine, gate two on the second row, with Jackie Barker to drive while BEACH DIAMOND drew 12, five on the second line with Cameron Hart in the sulky.

As a two-year-old, IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT ran second in the final to stablemate and ABR filly Miss Australiana which unfortunately broke down in the leadup to this year’s series.

BEACH DIAMOND has won both her starts but is going to need a great drive by Hart to keep up her winning record.

Despite their back row draws, early markets indicate price assessors believe they will figure in the finish.

IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT has opened $2.60 favourite ahead of stablemate Ill Be Gone at $3.50 and BEACH DIAMOND at $4.

FROLICNEARTHESEA is ABR’s runner in the Listed $200,000 Two-Year-Old Fillies final (2240m), race five at 7.33pm SA time.

She has drawn wide again in gate five and will be driven by Mark Pitt.

The filly sat parked on debut last week and was too strong for her rivals and another tough effort will be needed in the final.

FROLICNEARTHESEA has opened at $4.40 with Conciliate in gate one at $1.85 then Willows Girl at $2.80 ahead of her in the market.

LETSSTARTINHEAVEN is ABR’s starter in the Listed $200,000 Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings final (2240m).

He has drawn barrier eight, gate one on the second row which will give driver James Herbertson the opportunity to give him a “cosy” run before asking for a supreme effort over the final stages.

LETSSTARTINHEAVEN ran second on race debut in his semi-final and should be improved by that race experience.

ABR also has SHORELINE DREAM as the first emergency following his semi-final fifth last week.

He will carry saddlecloth 11 if he obtains a start coming from four on the second line.

Stablemate Cardigan Dan is $1.85 favourite with LETSSTARTINHEAVEN quoted at $21 and SHORELINE DREAM at $23.

On Saturday at Melton, BALBOA ROCK which has won his last two starts at Geelong and Cranbourne, comes from gate three in the Garrards Horse & Hound Pace (2240m), race five at 7.40pm SA time.