Cover image courtesy of Race Images
On The Bubbles continued the all-conquering Te Akau’s stranglehold on the Doubletree By Hilton 2-year-old feature with its fifth consecutive victory to give further credence to its purchasing approach at new Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
With bidding to open at the 2021 Sale on Sunday, the David Ellis-led operation will again attack the auction ring in high spirits following the celebration sparked by On The Bubbles’ performance at Ellerslie.
For Head Trainer Jamie Richards it was his third Karaka Million victory in his own right having prepared last year’s winner Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and 2019 heroine Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
When training in partnership with Stephen Autridge, he shared in the glory of 2018 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and 12 months previously with Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).
The odd one out in the Te Akau set is Cool Aza Beel, who claimed just one top-flight title in the Sistema S. before his recent purchase for stud duty by Newhaven Park.
Probabeel, Avantage and Melody Belle are all multiple Group 1 winners, and still counting, so On The Bubbles has a lot to live up to in the future, but his Ellerslie display provided ample evidence he is capable of rising to expectations.
Jamies Richards
Wide gate no issue
Richards had said during the week that he believed On The Bubbles was the stable’s best chance and wasn’t swayed when he drew the outside gate and rider Johnathan Parkes played his part with a gun ride.
“On The Bubbles is going to just need a bit of luck and we’ve won it from out there before so why can’t we do it again?” Richards said at the live barrier draw on Wednesday and how right he was.
“He was aided by a lovely ride and to find the one out and one back spot was a big effort so full credit to Johnathan and the horse. It’s been a really big team effort and I’m very proud.”
While On The Bubbles proved the dominant force at Ellerslie, he was ably supported by his stablemates with Sneaky Shark (Capitalist) finishing runner-up ahead of Avonallo (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) and Sophisticardo (NZ) (Bugundy {NZ}) was fourth.
Richards’ fifth representative Millefiori (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) was the only slight disappointment in finishing out of contention.
“They all ran very well and Sneaky Shark was great with the hood on after a disappointing run last week,” he said. “Lisa Allpress on Avonallo took the bull by the horns and led up and Sophisticardo kept up a strong gallop.
“They all ran very well and Sneaky Shark was great with the hood on after a disappointing run last week.” – Jamie Richards
“Millefiori probably just didn’t handle the back-up and she will be a lovely 3-year-old.”
On The Bubbles jumped well from his wide barrier and Parkes quickly decided to press ahead after being caught wide to sit one off the fence. He peeled out three wide before the home turn and his charge proved too good in the run to the wire.
“I was lucky enough to have the horse and the opportunity to ride him in such a big race when the money was up, he’s a super horse,” Parkes said.
“I was caught wide and was thinking whether to go back or forward and he’s such a big, rolling horse that I went forward and he did it quite easily. I pulled out before the turn and he proved too good for them.”
On The Bubbles completed a memorable day for breeder Burnewang North as the North Victorian operation also bred and sold the Richards-trained Need I Say More (No Nay Never {USA}), who won the G3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy earlier in the program.
Originally bought at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale by Ben Kwok and Bevan Smith Bloodstock for $60,000, On The Bubbles was re-offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Yearling Sale by Leanach Lodge and knocked down to Te Akau’s David Ellis for NZ$90,000.
He is a son of the Sebring mare More Bubbles who is a half-sister to the G1 Myer Classic winner Politeness (Street Sense {USA}) and also the family of the Group 2 winners Thackeray (At Talaq {USA}) and Parables (Lonhro).
On The Bubbles as a yearling
