Trainer Aaron Bain completed an unusual race-to-race double on Saturday when talented three-year-old pacer Wings On The Line scored an outstanding victory at Port Pirie.
Bain, who also trains thoroughbreds in partnership with Ned Taylor, was successful in the final event at Gawler on Saturday with Everglade.
Wings On The Line took her record to nine wins with a second and third from just 11 starts with a win in the Ladbrokes Pace (1609m).
The three-year-old filly recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1:54.0 in her two-metre win from Coco Mia ($3.20) with Winston Alexander ($26) a metre away third.
Betting on the race was interesting with Wings On The Line opening at $1.50 but drifting out to her starting price of $2.40.
The reason for the drift was the big plunge on classy three-year-old Jamaican Rock which was having its first run for Port Pirie trainer Dale Afford.
Jamaican Rock was backed from $13 into $3 and showed good speed to lead from gate five.
Coco Mia came across from barrier six to sit outside him and the pair raced side-by-side setting a good tempo.
Wings On The Line, which had come through from gate two on the second row was expertly driven by Wayne Hill to trail the leaders.
He brought the filly with a run turning for home and she gathered in the front pair to win well.
“I wish every horse had her will to win,” Bain said.
“She knows what she has to do and gives it her all.
“In fact, she could nearly be unbeaten. She was beaten by an older horse on debut and was a little underdone when a first up third in the St Leger earlier this year.
“Tentative goals for Wings On The Line are the Tasmanian Oaks in September, then the Southern Cross Series here in Adelaide.”
Wings On The Line is another success story from Kadina as she was bred and is also part-owned by Jason Bussenschutt.
Kadina was also the birthplace of Encipher, the winner of the world’s richest harness race, the TAB Eureka being bred and owned by Tyson Linke.
Bain had a double at Port Pirie with Shezamajorstar taking out the Osborne Fodder Pace (1609m).
Having her first start for Bain after previously being with Emma Stewart, the mare was a red hot $1.25 favourite, but her backers had to sweat for a collect.
Everything was going to plan when reinsman Wayne Hill took Shezamajorstar to the front and was able to dictate the tempo.
However, she had to fight hard in the home straight eventually winning by just a head from Ceeubetty in an exciting finish.
Champion reinswoman Danielle Hill landed her first winner from retirement when Aldebaran Stiles won the Big Chief Hire Trot (1609m).
Hill took a break from race driving to have corrective back surgery last year and decided to put her career on hold.
The surgery was very successful, and Hill said she felt great but still did not confirm a return to driving until a few weeks ago.
She has had several placings but Aldebaran Stiles, now trained by Clare Goble at Wasleys, was the horse to her that victory.
Hill elected to go forward from gate five to sit parked in her race. She allowed Aldebaran Stiles ($3.90 fav) to trot clear in the home straight and win by 5-1/2 metres from Georgy Girl ($18) with Lady In The Sky ($5.50), three metres away third.
Former Victorian Magic Storm stretched her unbeaten run in South Australia to six with victory in the CT Electrical & Data Pace (1609m).
Purchased by Tyson Linke, Magic Storm has been a revelation with an impressive run of victories.
Reinsman Wayne Hill drove the mare forward from barrier four to find the lead.
Magic Storm, backed from $1.80 into $1.25 favourite, was well rated but had to withstand a late charge by Bay Jim Major ($7) to win by a metre with Sheza Manipulator ($6.50), 1-1/2 metres away third, rating 1:57.6.
Globe Derby Park trainer Luke O’Neill came away from Port Pirie with a double.
Pacer Uncle Chan ($23) came with a late run for driver Jason ‘Chicken’ Kittel to take out the Pirie Signs & Designs Pace (2050m).
Settling at the tail of the field, Uncle Chan sprinted powerfully up the home straight to win by a metre from Clarenden Express ($5.50) with Loch Lomond ($3.10), 4-1/2 metres away third.
In the following race, the Spillman Air Trotters Handicap (2050m), Flingandwingit ($16), also trained by O’Neill, was perfectly driven by Kevin Weidenbach to score by 2-1/2 metres from Lovelorn ($6) with Millys Magic ($13) a metre away third.
With Globe Derby Park out of action through track renovations, next Saturday’s meeting will also be at Port Pirie, with the Gawler Harness Racing Club staging the Monday races.
