Mistaken Mare Shakes Off Mix Up to Make Her Mark

Tricky Townsville mare Roth ‘N’ Bubble is making an impact on race tracks in the north all thanks to a mistaken identity.

The flighty four-year-old will chase her fourth career win at Cluden Park on Thursday for trainer Graham Hughes after arriving at his stables by mistake as a raw, uneducated two-year-old.

Hughes took on the chestnut daughter of Rothesay believing it was a filly he bred by the same sire on the same stud only to discover six months later it was the wrong horse.

The Wulguru trainer ended up getting his rightful filly, Our Folly, but also retained Roth ‘N Bubble who has been by far the better performer.

“The breeder dropped the two fillies in to the breaker. They both look alike, both by Rothesay and after they were broken in they sent me the wrong one. I’d never seen her and the cards (ID) weren’t done at that stage so I was none the wiser,” Hughes said.

“I just assumed it was the right horse and I put about four months into her.

“I eventually sent her away again for education and to get her barrier certificate and she passed that, but when they had a closer look at her they said ‘this is not the horse’.”

It was red faces all round but Hughes ended up retaining both fillies after some gracious work by the breaker.

“The original owner said to the breaker to take his horse to settle an account and the breaker he was great and told me I should take her to cover the six months of work I’d already put into her,” Hughes said.

“When I asked about our filly I was told she was out running with polo ponies.

“I said send her up and so that’s how I ended up with both of them.

“It was a comedy of errors but the breaker was a lovely fellow and it worked out. Getting Roth ‘N’ Bubble has definitely been a bonus.

“I called her Roth ‘N’ Bubble, because of all the trouble.”

Roth ‘N’ Bubble showed Hughes potential from the first time she went to the track and has been quietly building a strong record.

She broke through for a maiden win at Cluden at her fourth start in June last year and has posted two wins this preparation, one in Townsville and another at her last start in Mackay with her trademark big finish.

The mare will face another class rise in Thursday’s Ladbrokes BM65 Hcp (1000m) and Hughes is expecting a bold showing.

“She’s a chance again this week, The false rail being out normally suits the front runners but it is a small field which might help her,” Hughes said.

“She’s always gone pretty good. She’s a lovely mare but a bit tricky to work.

“Jeffrey Felix rides her at the track and she puts him through the grinder every morning, but he likes her.

“I was planning on going 1200m but this race came up and there wasn’t many entries so I decided to send her around over the 1000m again.”

Meantime the ‘other’ mare Our Folly, whom Hughes bred with his wife Di, will tackle the Mitavite Mdn Hcp (1200m) on Thursday in search of her first win after two improved runs.

Hughes will also run stable veteran Family Star in the Open Hcp (1000m) because of light on entries.

The eight-year-old reeled off a strong first-up third to Roweiner’s Dance last week.

“I was happy with the run first-up after 10 months. Normally I wouldn’t  back him up so quickly after a long break, but he came through the run  good and the noms for that race were down as well,” Hughes said.

“He’s a bit of a cranky old fella and he’s getting on but he loves being in the stables and he’s sound so that’s why he’s there.”

The stable will also saddle up last start winner Read ‘Em Weep in the International Women’s Day @Cludenpark BM60 Hcp (1400m).

Thursday’s meeting will celebrate International Women’s Day with an eight-race card which kicks off at 1.32pm.