CHAMPION BUBBLER should easily oblige in Division Two of Sunday’s O & S Tack Room Trophy. However, her fellow Lakeland Farm-owned standard bearer, POWER, could run into a rejuvenated BRINKS in Division One despite the 2022 Jamaica Derby runner-up’s disappointing form this season.
Throw BRINKS’ last run out the window, outsped by SHE’S MY DESTINY at five furlongs straight on August 12, an effort overshadowing his two previous runs in which he proved he has the class to repay faithful backers, who have made him favourite on five occasions from six starts this season.
BRINKS might have finished 12th behind GREEN GOLD RUSH, POWER RANKING, and CHAMPION BUBBLER on July 9. However, he was always in a battle for the lead on the far side from post-position 16, resulting in him straightening four-wide and running out of steam close home, eventually eased, yet finished five and a quarter lengths off sixth-place POWER, who got an inside run into the lane.
However, BRINKS’ well-being appears spotty, declared lame when finishing fifth at seven and a half furlongs on July 29, overhauled a furlong out by D HEAD CORNERSTONE after trying to steal a march on the field.
POWER has been eased four pounds at the scale and appeared fluent in a flat six-furlong gallop, 1:16.2, last Friday, reporting fresher than BRINKS, who will have to prove his fitness, his best effort at exercise since being a pace work, six furlongs in 1:28.0.
CHAMPION BUBBLER has a seemingly easy task, having worked extremely well since finishing third in a driving finish to GREEN GOLD RUSH, who closed along the rail to collar POWER RANKING and the foreigner after the pair ran themselves ragged in the stretch run at six and a half furlongs.
CHAMPION BUBBLER, who had to be switched late from behind POWER RANKING, creating space along the rail for GREEN GOLD RUSH to close, stayed on to secure third place ahead of fast-finishing OUTBIDDER.
ALEXA’S LODGE, a 34-1 outsider, ran a cracker on the far side, disputing the lead with POWER RANKING, and BRINKS, dragging CHAMPION BUBBLER off her bridle in an honest pace of 35.0, 47.1 and 59.3, splits that had all but GREEN GOLD RUSH faltering close home.
Returning nicely freshened with an eye-catching 1:08.4, five and a half furlongs out the mile chute, under her girth, CHAMPION BUBBLER will be tough to beat at 116lb under Raddesh Roman, ridiculously getting weight from SNOWFLAKES and JOHNCROWJEFF, leaving consistent TEKAPUNT as the American’s only serious threat should she have an off-day.