Bolli You Group 1 Beauty

Te Akau Racing registered their fourth consecutive $225,000 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) when On the Bubbles (2 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles, by Sebring) - known as Bolli - proved too good for stable-mate I Wish I Win (Savabeel) on Easter Saturday at Awapuni.

Having become their fifth consecutive Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner in January at Ellerslie, and since finishing second to stable-mate Sword of State (Snitzel) in both the Waikato Stud Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), On the Bubbles returned with vengeance to the scene of his tough debut win in December.

In the hands of Central Districts' based rider Johnathan Parkes, aboard for all his six starts, On the Bubbles was in front from the outset and was travelling like a winner throughout.

The market dominance of the Te Akau pair acted out accordingly in the straight, as they second rated their opposition by four lengths, with the winner On the Bubbles still powerful at the line while getting away by three lengths.

On footing downgraded after three races to Slow9, On the Bubbles ran the 1400 metres in 1:25.9 and paid $2.60 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote. He took his record to four wins and two seconds, from six starts, and $750,000 prize money.

“He loves being a racehorse and there's no other way to put it,” said Champion Trainer Jamie Richards (31), after recording his 45^thGroup One win.

“I'm really proud of him. He's been to most of the big dances this year and just keeps improving. I knew off the back of his work on Tuesday morning that we were in with a show and he's duly delivered in really good fashion.”

Richards said that both On the Bubbles and I Wish I Win had earned a spell and would prepare for the three-year-old races leading up to the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 6 November at Riccarton.

“Take nothing away from the second horse (I Wish I Win) at just his second start,” Richards added. “It was a huge effort, and they're a couple of really promising horses for next season.

“I'm really proud of the whole team for the way they've kept the two-year-olds going at a high level all season.”

In securing the quadrella for Te Akau, On the Bubbles followed in the footsteps of current dual Horse of the Year, and Group One record-holder (14), Melody Belle (Commands), who won in 2017, eight-time Group One winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in 2018, and Yourdeel (Dundeel) in 2019 - all three named Champion Two-Year-Old. Previously, they had won the race with Kindacross (Cape Cross) and Maroofity (Maroof).

By a good sire of two-year-olds in Australia, On the Bubbles was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, and owned by Te Akau Splash Of Dom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“He's a hell of a good horse, has great owners and especially thrilling is that a lot of them are young people,” Ellis said.

“Our daughter Julia-Rose, the Te Akau marketing manager, and her husband Hamish Hayes, who has a successful digital marketing company in Auckland, are shareholders and they've got their friends in the horse too. It's an incredibly happy ownership group and we're thrilled for all these new investors that we've been able to win the Karaka Million and now a Group One.

“A lot of them came up to me today at the races and said just how excited they are to have won their first Group One race. It's an incredibly difficult thing to achieve and so many people go a lifetime in horse ownership without getting a horse good enough to compete in a Group One race, let along win.

“He's been beautifully trained and ridden, and to think what he's achieved after only getting his career underway four and a half months ago.

“It shows everyone in the Te Akau team is doing their best and there have been some amazing team members that have looked after him along the way.

“It's a big thrill for Karyn and me to be back here at Awapuni, and to win this race for the fourth year in a row.

“I Wish I Win went really well for Waikato Stud to finish second at just his second start. He's an exciting horse for next season, for sure. He's still a little bit immature physically, but has the makings of a top horse.

“Johnathan Parkes is a really talented and disciplined jockey and his performances on this horse have been impossible to fault. He's riding brilliantly and since Christmas he's been rewarded with a Karaka Million, Sires' Produce, and an Auckland Cup.”

On the Bubbles notched the 21^sttwo-year-old win this season for trainer Jamie Richards. Incredibly, he has lined up 13 juveniles in 43 races for 21 wins (strike rate 2.04) and 15 placed.

On the Bubbles was strapped by Sarah West.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz