Yulong aren’t the only international breeding force purchasing high profile mares from the Northern Hemisphere to race in Australia with Kia Ora Stud splashing out $US1.5million ($A2.2million)at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale last year on Bubble Rock (USA), who will take her place in the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
A five year-old daughter of champion sire More Than Ready, who shuttled to Australia for many years to Vinery Stud, Bubble Rock was a multiple Group II and III winner in the US winning Black Type races at two, three and four.
Entrusted to Tony Gollan for a Brisbane winter campaign, Bubble Rock ran a bold race at her first start for her new trainer finishing third in a Listed race at Eagle Farm on June 1 and has taken good benefit from the run.
"The idea was to go a month between runs into the Tiara, and obviously it is a better race than what she was in the other day, but her form in America showed us four weeks between runs is ideal for her,” Gollan told Raecent.
"We trialled her in between and she is in a really good rhythm at the moment and fitness isn't an issue."
Win, lose or draw a decision on the future of Bubble Rock as regards her retirement to stud or racing on is up in the air for the moment.
"This has always been the grand final, so we will work out with (owners) Kia Ora what happens after this," Gollan said.
"I really think 1400m at Eagle Farm will suit Bubble Rock down to the ground, she is a good tough, on speed horse and she is a real danger on Saturday."
Kia Ora have made huge investment in Australian bloodstock in recent years and now stand three stallions at their Hunter Valley farm in Farnan, Prague and Captivant.
Bubble Rock will make an exciting addition to their stellar broodmare band and her pedigree would make her an ideal match for any of the young Kia Ora sires.
She is the first winner from Giant’s Causeway mare Reef Point, a daughter of Group II winner Dixie City.
