On The Bubbles Brilliant

A winner on debut, On the Bubbles (2 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles, by Sebring) dealt to his rivals second-up in the $22,500 Norwegian Park 2YO 1200 metres on 10 January at Ellerslie.

Having worked at both ends of the race when winning the Pearl Series 2YO 1100 metres on 19 December at Awapuni, On the Bubbles again faced a wide draw (9) but it mattered little in the final outcome despite doing it tough.

Trainer Jamie Richards elected to again utilize the services of jockey Johnathan Parkes, who was aboard at Awapuni, and also engaged for the memorable Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) victory on triple Group 1 winner Gingernuts (Iffraaj) at Ellerslie.

After jostling back in the field, Parkes elected to slide forward three wide through the mid-stages but after ranging three wide on straightening On the Bubbles went into overdrive and had his rivals gasping 200m out as he raced away to win easing down by three lengths. 

It was a scintillating effort by what is obviously a very smart horse and his manner of victory suggests a ready-made top three contender in the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 23 January at Ellerslie. 

“It was a good tough win from an improving horse,” Richards said. “We went into the race quietly confident that he was ready to run well. The idea was to ride him off the speed, teach him to relax, and finish off. 

“He didn't have all favours in the run, caught three out without cover, but I thought he put them away quite nicely and looked good doing it. 

“It's a big step in the right direction for the Karaka Million in two weeks time. He's unbeaten in two starts and I think the turning point was the opportunity to geld him and turn him into a racehorse. We were struggling with his attitude beforehand and he was not quite trialling up to expectations, but he's come out and proved himself.

“He had a couple of days in the paddock after Awapuni, which helped, and a big team effort by the guys at the Colt Barn to have him spot on. He's going well.”

A head-scratching drifter in betting, especially given the toughness of his debut victory, On the Bubbles closed at $7.00 & $2.15 fixed odds, running the 1200 metres in 1:12.04, last 600m 34.5, on footing with the sting out of it. 

On the Bubbles is seeking to provide Richards with his fifth consecutive win in the iconic Two-Year-Old event, chasing illustrious company: Champion Two-Year-Old and dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands); Champion Two-Year-Old and five-time Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock); history maker - winning both Karaka Million 2YO & 3YO - and dual Group 1 winner in Australia Probabeel (Savabeel), and Champion Two-Year-Old Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel), having all won the race previously for Te Akau. 

By a good sire of two-year-olds in Australia, On the Bubbles was purchased by David Ellis CNZM in January 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).

“That's definitely as good a win as I've seen by any two-year-old this season,” Ellis said. “You just don't see horses sit three and four wide and win pulling away like that. 

“Johnathan Parkes seized the initiative on a soft early speed, realising he needed to be right there at the top of the straight, but the way the horse found must have even surprised him. He's two for two on the horse and I've told him he can have the ride in the Karaka Million, which he is pretty excited about.

“We've got really good owners in the horse and many of them were with us on course today. Our daughter Julia-Rose and her husband Hamish (Hayes) have got a share, and there are a lot of great guys and girls that are in the horse, and they're going to have a great next couple of weeks waiting for the Karaka Million.

“We've got a good team of two-year-olds around us and Jamie does a fantastic job training them. But it all takes a lot of effort and energy, getting to the sales to buy these types of horses, then getting them sold, and during our inspections so far this year I've seen another vintage crop of yearlings. They're magnificently presented and we're really looking forward to the Karaka Sales.”

On the Bubbles was strapped by Te Akau racing manager Libby Richards. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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