Ashburton Treble - On The Bubbles is Back

Making a perfect start to his South Island campaign, On the Bubbles (5 g Brazen Beau – More Bubbles, by Sebring) won the $50,000 Open Handicap 1200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton.

A stable star when winning four of his six starts as a two-year-old, including the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), On The Bubbles went on at three to win the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) and Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m) before bowing to stable-mates when second to Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) and fourth to Amalfi Prince (Sebring) in the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m).

Trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson had given the tough and talented gallop time (29 days) since finishing sixth in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 17 September at Te Rapa, and he was ably handled by premiership leading jockey Warren Kennedy. 

Handily placed from the outset, On The Bubbles moved up second at the 600m, gained an advantage when asked to extend inside the 300m and remained gun-barrel straight in his run to the line.

In the race named G D Jones Salute Stewards Trial, On The Bubbles ran 1200 metres in a slick 1:08.7, last 600m in 33.7, on footing upgraded to Good3, aided in the straight by a nor’wester, and paid $5.10 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It’s one of the most satisfying wins we’ve had in recent times,” Walker said. “He’s had a lot of issues with his wind and to see him really put in like that and hit the line strongly was great for all his connections and supporters.

“It was a lovely ride of Warren’s to put him in the race and the horse showed that he still loves the game and wants to win.

“Hopefully that gives him a lot of confidence going forward in his southern campaign, and although holding a nomination for the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (Gr. 3, 1600m) he will probably be aimed at the Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m) instead.”

The $140,000 Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m) is contested on New Zealand Cup Day (Saturday 18 November) at Riccarton. 

On the Bubbles was purchased for $90,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale from the draft of Leanach Lodge. Owned by Te Akau Splash of Dom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), he took earnings closer to a $1 million after recording his seventh win from 21 starts. 

“It was a great start to the day, winning with On The Bubbles, after the Ashburton Racing Club had the misfortune of postponing the meeting on Saturday because of high winds,” Ellis said.

“All the staff has done an amazing job getting the horse back into form and I think he beat quite a useful field.

“We’re so lucky to have world-class staff looking after these horses and now that he’s back in form we can go towards the Stewards with him during the cup carnival.

“It’s been well documented that he’s had wind afflictions since his two-year-old season, and in some ways not quite the horse he could have been, but he still wants to do it and he’s a horse that’s given a great group of owners so many highlights and thrills.”

On The Bubbles was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credits - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz