Trainer Aaron Bain acknowledges that recouping the purchase price for Officiate is still a work in progress, but he is optimistic that the Stakes-placed gelding will ultimately be a profitable asset.
The four-year-old, who began his racing career under the tutelage of Chris Waller, is set to compete for his inaugural victory since moving to South Australia in Saturday’s Hahn Handicap (1569m) at Morphettville Parks.
Officiate, a son of Justify, has accumulated just over $16,000 from minor placings in his initial two starts for Bain and Ned Taylor. This Saturday, he has the chance to secure a $27,300 winner’s cheque, and Bain remains astonished that he acquired the horse for $60,000 through Inglis Digital in May.
“We probably didn’t think we’d be able to get him for that, to be fair,” he stated.
“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.”
Bain’s acquisition cost was a mere fraction of the $700,000 Yulong paid at Magic Millions’ 2YO Horse In Training Sale for the horse, who had previously sold for $300,000 as a yearling.
Upon arriving at Bain’s stables, the gelding had only one win to his name. However, he had secured placings in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) and was deemed worthy of a start in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) last spring, as well as the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) earlier this year.
His South Australian campaign commenced with a third-place finish over 1250m on July 11, followed by a second placing to Centu Cavaddi over 1600m at Morphettville a fortnight later.
Bain kept the horse in racing condition 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 commented.
Officiate drew barrier 10 in a field of 12, but will start from gate eight following scratchings. Jackson Murphy is booked to ride, and the pair are currently priced at $7 in the market, with the Michael Hickmott-trained Extinguish the $4.80 favourite.
You can find the best racing odds for this race at Australian betting sites.
