All About the Bubbles

New Zealand Bloodstock reports:

The clear headline act on the order of entry for the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) is On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau), whose bold performance at Ellerslie on Boxing Day showed that he was right on track.

Purchased for $90,000 by David Ellis from the Leanach Lodge draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, On The Bubbles played a starring role last season with his victories in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and the Group One Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).

The Brazen Beau gelding missed the spring due to an entrapped epiglottis, and he was a beaten favourite when he resumed with a second placing at Te Rapa earlier this month. But it was a different story back at Ellerslie as he fought off the challenge of the previously undefeated Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro) to win the $80,000 Listed Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).

Trainer Jamie Richards will now give him the opportunity to add the Karaka Million 3YO Classic to his two-year-old triumph last season, joining stablemate Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) as the only horse in history to complete that double. The TAB have now made him a $2.80 favourite.

“On that run, you'd think he would be hard to beat in the Karaka Million,” Ellis said. “I'm so happy for all the owners, including our children, who have shares in the horse. It's a great thrill and such an excitable ownership group.

“It's been publicly documented that he had some breathing issues and underwent an operation, but Opie (Bosson, jockey) said to me afterwards that he breathed really well today. He's comfortable here and loves the course.”

New Year's Day could bring some movement on the Karaka Million 3YO Classic order of entry, with the Group Two Skycity Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie set to feature a number of bright prospects.