Graham Fischer
A PLAN to celebrate 100 years of harness racing in South Australia returned the ultimate dividend when Suresoundslikealie won at Mildura on Friday for a local syndicate.
For trainer Aaron Bain and the ownership group, the Aaron Bain Racing 100 Club, it was a release valve after more than 18 months of frustration.
Brilliantly driven by Alex Ashwood, the $2.30 favourite Suresoundslikealie scored a half neck win in the Sunraysia Security Pace over 1790m, defeating The Knight Star ($4.50) with Caballo Diablo ($15.20) a distant 36.5 metres away third.
Coming from barrier eight – gate two on the second row – the four-year-old mare began well and settled four back in the running line in the early stages as a number of other runners tried to sort out the leading division.
Once the front pairs settled and tried to slow the tempo, Ashwood brought Suresoundslikealie to the outside and she accelerated quickly, and after a short tussle, was able to assume control where Ashwood then dictated the tempo.
The ABR 100 Club mare looked to be in control on straightening, but did wobble over the last 50 metres, however had enough of an advantage to win.
Gawler-based Aaron Bain came up with the ABR 100 Club idea early last year when he realised the first official carnival of trotting meeting was held on Adelaide’s Jubilee Oval on November 22, 1919, while the first race meeting was conducted on December 27 the same year around Alberton Oval.
Bain, principal of Aaron Bain Racing, believed the 100-year celebration was the perfect opportunity to promote the sport and entice new owners, and thus the ABR 100 Club was born.
For $100, he advertised for 100 people to be members of the 100 club to race a horse and sold out within 72 hours.
There would be no additional costs, and members of the club would share 50 per cent of the prizemoney until the horse was sold for a final dividend return.
Training costs are absorbed by Aaron Bain Racing by the structured 50/50 prizemoney setup.
Bain looked around for about a month before purchasing Suresoundslikealie in March last year and was hoping to have her racing, and winning – however, the best laid plans went awry.
Soon after her arrival, Suresoundslikealie developed a severe bacterial infection where her white blood cells were in excess of 15 rather than seven or eight.
Bain treated the mare and turned her out for a break, but when she came back there were still issues with her blood and she was given another break.
Next preparation, Suresoundslikealie was ready to go, but reared up during trackwork and skun both her knees forcing more treatment and another break.
Bain said he had managed to sneak three runs, and while she had run okay, he knew she was still not quite right and discovered she still had minor issues – so he turned her out for a good break.
This preparation, things went better for Suresoundslikealie and Bain is hoping Friday’s win can be the first of a few.
“Thanks to the owners for their patience,” Bain said.
“It has been a long journey but her win at Mildura was good and I’m sure she has further improvement.”