Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor nail hat-trick and Magic Millions feature at Murray Bridge

SA trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor had a red-letter day at Murray Bridge, notching a metro hat-trick that included the biggest win of the duo’s career.

Shady Thinker, ridden by Jason Holder, wins the Magic Millions 3 & 4YO Classic at Murray Bridge. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Angaston trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor had a red-letter day at Murray Bridge on Saturday, notching a metro hat-trick that included the biggest win of the duo’s career.

Shady Thinker stole the show in the $122,250 Magic Millions 3 & 4YO Classic (1200m), overhauling Chris Bieg-trained pair Overstrike and Tripod Terror with a brilliant turn of foot.

The son of So You Think, who was ridden by Jason Holder, is now unbeaten after two starts, and a trip interstate may be on the cards for the three-year-old.

“He was challenged, he just dug deep, there’s a lot of upside to this horse, he’s a good horse,” Bain said.

“There’s some big options on the horizon, I would think we would look interstate, there was some offers on the table for him last start and we backed ourselves in not to sell.

“(Darren Thomas) said no amount of money could have bought him – and he might be right.”

"Oh he's class this guy!"

Shady Thinker makes it two wins from two races to begin his career with a strong win in the Magic Millions SA 3 & 4YO classic 🙌@aaronbainracingpic.twitter.com/1S5Gg5MKzU

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 8, 2025

The day just got better for Bain and Taylor, Singapore import Bakeel won a Benchmark 76 (1400m) in the following race, before Navy Gold stormed home to make nail a 0-62 Handicap (1400m).

The result landed Bain and Taylor with their first metro treble.

“I came here hoping for one, two would be lovely, but three – that’s special,” he said.

“We’re here, hopefully in a big way, (it’s a) big team, Ned, myself, we obviously moved into Angaston (Park) seven months and we are starting to see the fruits of that bear now.”

Adelaide expat Will Price nailed a hit and run mission on return to his home state, steering Ole Dancer to victory in the $202,250 Magic Millions 2YO Classic in race five.

The young gun, who is based in Victoria, had just one ride on the 10-race card, but made it count, snaring a gap at the 400m before the filly charged away for an impressive one and a half length win.

Ole Dancer shoots through down the middle for a strong debut win in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic 💥@[e-mail]/xLc2mge3FV

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 8, 2025

Sent over from the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman yard, Price was buoyed by the filly’s trackwork during the week, and knew that he had the right horse underneath him.

“I worked her on Tuesday morning, she gave me every indication that wherever she’d go she would be hard to beat,” Price said.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the whole Moody family and Kat, and the whole business for putting their trust in me.”

Manoel Nunes shared riding honours on the card with Jason Holder, both hoops scored a double.

Originally published as Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor nail hat-trick and Magic Millions feature at Murray Bridge