Bubbles Are Popping

Continuing a good run for Te Akau Racing, Popthebubbles (4 m Wrote – Vickezzlepin, by Pins) won the $17,000 Rating 65 1800 metres on 6 June at New Plymouth.

Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson saddled three winners a day earlier when Bella Voce (Fastnet Rock), Akenehi (Fastnet Rock), and Polly Plum (Xtravagant), all scored in the hands of stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM at Matamata, adding to a total of 15 wins in the past three weeks.

Dual winner over 1600 metres as a three-year-old, including her Maiden victory by six and a quarter lengths in June at Wanganui, Popthebubbles dropped in grade for the latest assignment and won with aplomb.

Ridden by stable apprentice Niranjan Parmar (a1), who leads his peers with 48 wins this season, Popthebubbles received a nice trip in fifth before being asked to improve 400m out and she responded with a sustained effort that saw her win by two lengths.

In the race sponsored by The Bold One @ Grangewilliam Stud, on footing that remained Heavy9 throughout the programme, Popthebubbles ran 1800 metres in 1:59.3, last 600m in 38.2 (approx.), and paid $5.70 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a lovely ride of Parmar’s,” Walker said. “He got all favours during the race, but was positive from the gates to secure a good position, and I just think the drop back from Rating 75 to Rating 65 really helped her.

“With that win getting her confidence back, I wouldn’t be surprised if she really goes on with it through the winter. 

“Her three wins have all been pretty convincing and it’s great to have another win in the Milan Park colours. Tony Rider, who owns the stud, breeds good horses year in and year out, and she’s from one of their best families.”

From a family with which Te Akau has experienced plenty of success, Popthebubbles is bred and owned by Rayner and Lynn Bonnington (Little River Thoroughbreds), Peter Jeffares, and Tony Rider (Milan Park). 

Popthebubbles is the first foal out of Vickezzlepin, a half-sister to Aromatic (Sacred Falls) who was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM at Karaka, and was the winner of six races from 1400m – 2100m including the Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m), and Counties Cup (Gr. 3, 2100m). In addition to three stakes' wins she was Group and Listed placed seven times.

Te Akau did a great job with Aromatic, a talented grey filly that broke through effortlessly at her third start as a three-year-old and continued to build a tremendous record, while that experience and knowledge of the family is also to the fore with Popthebubbles.  

Both Aromatic and Vickezzlepin are out of Vickezzchardonnay, by the highest priced yearling ($3.6m, Don Eduardo (Zabeel)) to ever sell at Karaka.

Vickezzchardonnay was an impressive five-time winner from 1600m to 2100m. Fifth in the 2008 New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and second in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) during her three-year-old season, Vickezzchardonnay went on to win the Taranaki Cup (Gr. 3, 2000m), finish third in the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 2, 3200m), and fourth in the Auckland Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m), Wellington Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m), Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m), and Rotorua Cup (Gr. 3, 2200m), indicating her genuine attributes. 

Vickezzchardonnay is a half-sister to impressive winning race mare Fifty Fifty (Justice Prevails), who has left seven winners of 15 races including stakes' performer Balham (Don Eduardo). 

Popthebubbles is by the Group One producer Wrote (High Chaparral).

Popthebubbles was strapped by Kendyll Lee. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz