Karaka Million Hero Back on Top

On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) was among the very best of his generation as a two-year-old last season, and a supreme performance in Sunday’s $80,000 Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie showed he has lost none of that star power. 

Bought by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $90,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2020, On The Bubbles won four times as a juvenile including the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and the Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

The Brazen Beau gelding missed the spring due to an entrapped epiglottis, and he was a beaten favourite when he resumed with a second placing at Te Rapa earlier this month.

But on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, On The Bubbles was right back on top of his game. Ridden by Opie Bosson, he settled into a smooth rhythm in fourth spot before cruising into contention in the straight.

Undefeated Group Two winner Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro) quickened smartly and swept up alongside him, but On The Bubbles lifted superbly and fought him off by a neck.

“He had the improvement under his belt from last time and I was quietly confident,” Bosson said. “I heard them coming and so did he, so he put his head out and dug in some more. It just shows how good he is.”

On The Bubbles has now had eight starts for five wins, three second placings and $796,950 in stakes – almost nine times his purchase price.

Trainer Jamie Richards is now keen to give him a shot at the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 22. If successful, he would join stablemate Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) as only the second horse to ever win the Karaka Million 2YO-Karaka Million 3YO Classic double.

“It was a tough effort, because the set weights and penalties conditions doesn’t really suit him,” Richards said. “He had to carry the weight (60.5 kilograms) and he was aided by a top ride by Opie.

“He put him in a good position and he toughed it out all the way up the straight. He is tough and genuine and gives 100%, so it was a really good effort.”

Curraghmore will offer a half-brother to On The Bubbles at Karaka 2022. The colt by Impending will go through the ring in Book 1 as Lot 433.