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Early favourites On The Bubbles and Millefiori draw barriers 15 and five respectively
The barrier draw for the 2021 Karaka 2YO Million (RL, 1200m) took place at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sales Centre on Wednesday with early favourites On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) and Millefiori (Iffraaj), who are both trained by Jamie Richards, drawing barriers 15 and five respectively.
Richards, who has trained the last four winners of the race, is well-represented in the 2021 running of the Karaka 2YO Million with five runners set to go to post.
Millefiori was bought by David Ellis for NZ$65,000 out of Book 2 from the Archer Park draft and is unbeaten in two career starts with her latest victory coming over 1200 metres at Tauranga.
Meanwhile, On The Bubbles is the most favoured of the Jamie Richards runners. A NZ$90,000 Book 1 purchase by Ellis from Leanach Lodge, On The Bubbles comes into Saturday’s race having won his first two starts, scoring over 1100 metres at Awapuni on December 19 before following that debut win up with a three length victory over 1200 metres at Ellerslie on January 10.
“On The Bubbles could still be our best chance in the race, but obviously needs a bit of luck,” said Richards.
“We’ve won it from a wide draw with Probabeel, and we’ll try and do it again. I like the fact that he’s a dual winner, came through the right race (winning at Ellerslie on January 10), where he couldn’t have been much more impressive and he’s going the right way.”
The stables runners are completed by Avonallo (Belardo), Sophisticardo (Burgundy) and Sneaky Shark (Capitalist) and the trainer said that getting these two-year-olds to the race is a massive team effort.
“We strive to achieve runners in both Karaka Million races,” siad Richards.
“We come here (Karaka), do the homework and try and buy the right horses we want in the stable. Karyn and Dave do a wonderful job of syndicating them. Then it’s up to the team at the farm (Te Akau Stud) to get them broken in, and we’ve got a great team of staff to look after them in the stables at Matamata. It’s a massive team effort.
“There are plenty of nice yearlings here at Karaka, no doubt about that, and another good year quality-wise. It looks like it’s going to be a buyer’s market this year and we’re looking forward to the sale starting on Sunday. And anyone that wants to be involved in the tangerine should get in touch.”
