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Awapuni has been the happiest hunting ground for Beauden, who returned to his favorite track on Saturday for the best victory of his career in the Gr.2 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).
It was the 11th victory of a 36-start race for the gelding Bullbars, who has been near-unbeatable at Awapuni – eight of his victories come from just 10 appearances at the Palmerston North track, including the last two editions of the Listed Marton Cup (2200m ).
Saturday’s victory was the best of all. Facing a quality field that featured this season’s Group One winners Callsign Mav and Royal Performer, along with high-class performer Prize de Fer, Beauden returned to penultimate as Hunta Pence led the field for most of the 2000 m trip.
But Beauden’s regular driver Ryan Elliot took him outside on the straight and let it rip, and the six-year-old knocked down his dozen rivals and ran clear for a resounding victory by two and three quarters.
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The chestnut has now won over $ 350,000 in stakes for breeder and owner Joan Egan, who has also enjoyed the glory of Group One this season with her heroine Zabeel Classic (2000m) concert hall.
Beauden’s victory on Saturday came as no surprise to co-coach Graeme Rogerson.
“He’s a super horse, and it’s a pleasure to train him,” he said. “She has a lovely nature, loves to travel and eats very well every time she leaves. It makes it easy for us.
“He loves Awapuni, he’s won eight there now, and he’s just a good horse. We will have a meeting with Joan next week and decide what we want to do next with him. The Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (2,200m) later this month could be an option.
“I think he is more of a handicap than a heavy horse for his age. He carries the weight very well and I have no doubt that he will run two miles so he could be a real Cup horse later on the track.
“We could even see if Joan wants to try taking him to Melbourne in the spring. I haven’t mentioned that to him yet, but I’m sure Ryan would love to go there to ride it. “
Prize de Fer produced a strong shot from midfield to run second, falling back from close fifth in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) just seven days earlier. Race favorite Callsign Mav appeared to hit a flat spot on the way home, but warmed up late to take third place.
THE AKAU 2YOS RULES
Jamie Richards and Te Akau Racing’s total dominance in New Zealand’s 2-year races continued with a well-deserved Group One win for On the Bubbles at Saturday’s Manawatū Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).
Awapuni’s signature was the 21st youth win of the season for Richards and Team Te Akau, with seven of them at the black guy level.
They have now won the Sires’ Produce Stakes stakes four times in a row, with On the Bubbles following in the footsteps of Melody Belle, Avantage and Yourdeel.
RACE IMAGES
On The Bubbles clears his rivals to take down the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ production stakes (1400m).
The syndication giant has also collected five consecutive Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) trophies, along with the last four editions of the Stakes System (1200m).
On the Bubbles has been a key factor in youth success this season.
Bought by David Ellis for $ 90,000 from Book 1 of the 2019 Karaka, Brazen Beau’s son has won four of his six starts, including the Karaka Million and Sires’ Produce Stakes.
His only losses have been second place behind standout teammate Sword of State in the Stakes System and the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at Matamata.
On the Bubbles has won over $ 740,000 in stakes for Te Akau Splash of Dom Racing Partnership.
Saturday’s Sires’ Produce Stakes was a dominant performance up front, coming from a wide gate to hit the front within the first 100 meters and never looking back.
At Bubbles and jockey Johnathan Parkes went into overdrive at the top of the home straight, opening up a dominant lead and playing home in a spectacular tour de force.
The winner’s teammate, I Wish I Win, made the best of the rest, finishing three lengths away in second place, with another four lengths back to Matamata running back Bonny Lass in third.
“On the Bubbles loves being a racehorse,” Richards said. “I’m proud of him. He’s been to almost every dance this season and he just keeps getting better.
“He knew from his work on Tuesday morning that a good show was in store for us this weekend, and he was up to the task on race day.”
Saturday’s victory was a fitting end to an impressive campaign for On the Bubbles, with Richards now turning his attention to the spring.
“He will come out to take a good rest now, and we will bring him back and place him for the Guineas 2000 (1600m) in November,” said the leading coach in the first division.
RACE IMAGES
Johnathan Parkes salutes as he brings On The Bubbles back to the Awapuni cage.
Richards was also delighted with the performance of runner-up I Wish I Win, who was making just the second start of his career.
Savabeel’s son won in his Awapuni debut on March 6, along with victories in all three of his test appearances.
“Don’t take anything away from I Wish I Win, it was a huge effort for a horse that only had its second outing,” said Richards. “I think they are two very exciting horses for the future.”
On the Bubbles was bred in Australia by Burnewang North Pastoral, and is from a half-sister of the Gr.1 winner Myer Classic (1600m) Politeness.
KIWIS BURNT BY SIR DRAGONET Kiwi expects Melody Belle (sixth) and The Chosen One (eleventh) to have had tough races in the $ 1.7 million Tancred Stakes (2400m) behind Sir Dragonet, who won easily for jockey Glenn Boss at Rosehill Saturday. Melody Belle was only four lengths behind the winner after opening further around the corner.
NZ Racing Desk
