Awapuni ace Beauden strikes gold again; On The Bubbles cracks G1
AWAPUNI has been the happiest of hunting grounds for Beauden, who returned to his favourite track yesterday for a career-best victory in the $100,000 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).
It was the 11th win of a 36-start career for the Bullbars gelding, who has been nearunbeatable at Awapuni – eight of his victories have come from only 10 appearances at the Palmerston North track, including the last two editions of the Marton Cup (2200m).
This win was the best of the lot. Up against a quality field, Beauden dropped back to second-last as Hunta Pence led the field through most of the 2000m journey.
But Beauden’s regular rider Ryan Elliot brought him to the outside in the straight and let him rip, and the six-year-old mowed down his dozen rivals and raced clear for a resounding victory by two-and-three-quarter lengths.
The chestnut has now earned more than $350,000 for ownerbreeder Joan Egan.
Beauden’s victory came as no surprise to Waikato co-trainer Graeme Rogerson.
‘‘He’s a super horse, and he’s an absolute pleasure to train,’’ he said. ‘‘He loves Awapuni and he’s just a bloody good horse.’’
● Jamie Richards and Te Akau
Racing’s total dominance of New Zealand two-year-old racing rolled on with a richly deserved Group One triumph for On the Bubbles in the $225,000 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
The Awapuni feature was the 21st juvenile win of the season for Richards and the Te Akau team, with seven of those coming at black-type level.
They have now won the Sires’ Produce Stakes four times in a row, with On the Bubbles following in the footsteps of Melody Belle, Avantage and Yourdeel. The syndication juggernaut has also collected five consecutive Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) trophies, along with all of the last four editions of the Sistema Stakes (1200m).
On the Bubbles has been a key contributor to this season’s juvenile success. Bought by David Ellis for $90,000, the son of Brazen Beau has won four of his six starts, including the Karaka Million and Sires’ Produce Stakes. He has earned more than $740,000 in stakes for the Te Akau Splash of Dom Racing Partnership.
● Kiwi hopes Melody Belle (sixth) and The Chosen One (11th) had tough runs in the $1.7m Tancred Stakes (2400m) behind Sir Dragonet, who won easily at Rosehill.