Aaron Bain, the trainer based in Angaston, is confident that Officiate, a gelding with Stakes-placed form, will prove to be a profitable asset in the long run, even though recouping his purchase price is still a goal.
The four-year-old, who initially began his racing journey with Chris Waller, is slated to compete in Saturday’s Hahn Handicap (1569m) at Morphettville Parks, aiming for his first win since transferring to South Australia.
The son of Justify has earned over $16,000 from placings in his first two starts for Bain and Ned Taylor. This weekend, he is chasing a $27,300 winner’s cheque, and Bain expressed his surprise at acquiring him for $60,000 via Inglis Digital in May.
“We probably didn’t think we’d be able to get him for that, to be fair,” he said.
“I knew a few people from Chris’s and reached out and they said he was sound, happy and healthy and he’s been all of that.”
“The way he’s performed in a lot of those class races was going to be good enough to measure up in Adelaide for a couple of seasons and target some better races.”
“There was a lot of upside from our perspective.”
The $700,000 Yulong paid at Magic Millions’ 2YO Horse In Training Sale for the horse, who previously sold for $300,000 as a yearling, dwarfs Bain’s purchase price.
He arrived at Bain’s with only one win, but his placings in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) and his inclusion in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) last spring and the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) earlier this year highlight his ability.
His South Australian career kicked off with a third over 1250m on July 11, followed by a second placing to Centu Cavaddi over 1600m at Morphettville a fortnight later.
Bain kept the gelding race-ready with a 600m jumpout at Murray Bridge on August 6.
“He’s in a great spot, we’re just drawn a little bit tricky for the Parks track, but he probably brings in a class factor and he should be going close,” Bain remarked.
Officiate drew barrier 10 in the 12-runner field but will start from barrier eight after scratchings, with Jackson Murphy booked to ride. The gelding is currently $7 in the betting, with Michael Hickmott’s Extinguish the $4.80 favourite.
Check out the latest racing odds for this event.
