Te Akau Racing are planning to bring another strong team to Australian shores to target the spring carnival and Probabeel and Entriviere are poised to be unleashed as soon as this month.
Richards is considering a Group 1 tilt first-up for Probabeel on August 28 at Caulfield in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) while she could also feature in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) on the same day.
Probabeel took a significant step towards the Melbourne spring carnival with a tune-up on unsuitable heavy ground over 900m this morning.
“She never trials well and isn't suited on that sort of ground but will definitely come on from that,†Richards said.
“She is going well and we will probably go to Melbourne now but it‘s whether we go into the Memsie Stakes or Cockram Stakes on the same day.â€
Probabeel is currently on the second line of betting at $6 with TAB fixed odds with 2020 winner Behemoth the $4.50 favourite.
It's likely she will campaign in Melbourne throughout the spring and bypass the $2m carrot of The Invitation in Sydney where she is $6 favourite.
Richards confirmed it would be stablemate Entriviere that will lead the stable's assault of Sydney's newest feature event.
The Tavistock mare, which finished runner up to Fasika in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes during The Championships, produced a stylish trial display over 900m in preparation for a trip across the Tasman.
“She seems to be going really well and I am pleased with her,†Richards said.
“She is a bit stronger and older now and handles all sorts of ground so that opens some doors for her.
“The Invitation will be her target and we will look at running her in the Show County Quality or Toy Show Quality first up on August 21 (at Randwick).â€
NZ Oaks winner Amarelinha finished behind Entriviere in their heat and the Group 1 victor is also being considered as an Australian spring contender.
“She could see still trial again but we are still working through our options,†Richards said.
“We will kick her off at 1400m and are not sure, it may be in Australia. We think she is good enough to be there and are keen to stay away from the weight-for-age races over here.
“She could sneak into an Epsom Handicap down in the weights or might be looking for something further by then.â€
The home front will be the focus for multiple Group 1-winning mare Avantage before the stable considers a late spring raid in a race like the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on October 30.
She featured in a 900m trial on Tuesday, finishing within a length of the winner.
“I thought she trialled well and she will probably have another hit out in the form of a gallop before we look at the Foxbridge Plate,†Richards said.
Young gun Sword Of State had a “slightly elevated temperature†and didn't feature at the trials alongside his stablemates but the Golden Rose contender is expected in Australia this month.
A date with the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) could be his kick-off point.