American sensation Bubble Rock brings Tattersall’s Tiara X-Factor: ‘This is the grand final’

American mare Bubble Rock came to Australia with a hefty price tag and her Australian trainer says while she is an unknown to punters Down Under, he has a good grasp on her now.

Tony Gollan is looking to snare the last Group 1 of the season with Bubble Rock. Picture: Lachie Millard.

Tony Gollan’s $2.3m import Bubble Rock can bring the American X-factor to Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm, with her trainer saying he has not attempted to mould her into the Australian way of racing in her first campaign Down Under.

Bubble Rock is somewhat of a mystery to Australian punters, but Gollan says they can expect a freewheeling performance on Saturday as he looks to get the American Group 2 winner in the winners’ circle again.

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Gollan debuted the expensive mare in the Listed Helen Coughlan (1200m) last month, and says it has been a deliberate plan getting her to Saturday.

“She is the X-factor in the race, and I am sure if you look at her form, it is more suitable for her,” Gollan said.

🏆Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2)
🇺🇸Churchill Downs

Bubble Rock (USA)
(3F More Than Ready - Reef Point, by Giants Causeway)
J :Joel Rosario
T:Brad H. Cox
O:Shortleaf Stable, Inc.
🥈Joyful Applause
🥉Take A Stand pic.twitter.com/PLZ3yt6ix9

— 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 (@WorldRacing1) November 25, 2022

“We didn’t see the best of her the other day at Eagle Farm, she was a bit fierce early and it was a bit messy, I think going to 1400m when she is a high cruising speed horse that is typical of the American horses, she will be up on the tempo.

“It is always the race we were setting her for, it was more a case of how we got here — the more we got into the prep, this was the best way.

“I was really pleased with her for the last 10 days going into that first-up run, I felt like we had a good understanding of her.

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“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.

“We trialled her in between and she is in a really good rhythm at the moment and fitness isn’t an issue.”

Whether Bubble Rock races on for Gollan after Saturday is out of his hands, with the trainer admitting he would love to keep her in the stable for another season.

📽️ Watch Hip 215 BUBBLE ROCK sell for $1,500,000 at The November Sale!

Bubble Rock easily won the Mrs. Revere S. (G2) last year at 3.#[e-mail]/rwLMWENPY2

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 8, 2023

If he can’t, he is adamant Saturday’s Group 1 provides the perfect opportunity for her to break through at the top level.

“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.”

Bubble Rock has been a well supported $19 chance with TAB, after fixed-odds traders put up $34 on Wednesday following the barrier draw.

Originally published as American sensation Bubble Rock brings Tattersall’s Tiara X-Factor: ‘This is the grand final’