Boxing Day Win 4 - On The Bubbles Bursts Through

Second to stable-mate Sword of State (Snitzel) in title for Champion Two-Year-Old, On the Bubbles (3 g Brazen Beau - More Bubbles, by Sebring) was back in winning mode on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, taking out the $80,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m).

During his superb juvenile season, On the Bubbles completed hat-trick in $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), giving Te Akau its fifth consecutive juvenile crown, and ended his season by winning the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), the fourth in a row for Te Akau.

He was notable finishing second when resuming in a 3YO 1200 metres on 11 December at Te Rapa, and won after being perfectly situated, fourth on the outer by Opie Bosson, stomping to then lead at the 200m and he never relented.

“He had improvement under his belt from the first-up run and I was quietly confident,” Bosson said.

“I heard them (challengers) coming, but he heard them as well and he just puts his head out and digs in even more. It shows how good a horse he is.”

Extending course record to three wins and a second from four starts, On the Bubbles ran the 1400 metres in 1:23.4 on Dead4 footing and paid $3.00 & $1.40.

“He's a horse that gives one-hundred percent and he's done a really good job there today,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“We were on a Guineas' path with him in the spring, but he was held up with a wind op that we needed to sort out. The owners have shown patience and he fronted up with another win.”

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000 at 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Leanach Lodge, the gelding is owned by the Te Akau Splash Of Dom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). On the Bubbles has won five of eight starts and $796,950 prize money.

On the Bubbles will receive the opportunity to top one million dollars when contesting $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on 22 January at Ellerslie, attempting to match stable-mate Probabeel (Savabeel), who in 2020 became the first horse ever to achieve the Karaka Million double.

“On that run, you'd think he would be hard to beat in the Karaka Million,” said Ellis, prior to On the Bubbles shortening to $2.80 fixed odds favourite.

“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) said to me afterwards that he breathed really well today. He's comfortable here and loves the course.

“I'm also happy for all our staff at the farm and the stables who work so hard to get these sorts of results for our owners. It's not easy to achieve and they deserve all the success they get.”

On the Bubbles was strapped by Sarah West.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz