Perfect Probabeel Snares Sydney Group 1

History making filly Probabeel (3 f Savabeel - Far Fetched, by Pins) turned the tables on Funstar (Adelaide) to take out the $500,000 Heineken 3 Surround Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) with an unbelievable performance on 29 February at Royal Randwick, Sydney.

Probabeel joined stable-mate and reigning Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), who became the first winner of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown earlier this season, in making history on 25 January at Ellerslie, as the first to win the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) a year after winning the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m).

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $380,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay (Cambridge Stud), Probabeel has won six of her 12 starts, including three seconds, and $1.59 million in prize money. 

Terrific during the spring Princess Series at Randwick, finishing fourth in the Furious Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), second in the Tea Rose Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m), and second in the Flight Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) - bowing to Funstar in the latter two - Probabeel showed in two subsequent victories that she was ready for revenge and so it proved.

Settling back, as per her style, and appearing in some difficulty at the rear of the field turning for home, Probabeel proceeded to mow down her rivals when drawn to the outside which ended in a scintillating victory. 

In the hands of Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson, Probabeel is proving an absolutely incredible filly.

“She had to do it the hard way and she's just so much stronger this time,” Bosson said. “She's an amazing filly. I got into a pocket and she hit a flat spot, but I'm just lucky that she's good enough to get herself out of it. Otherwise, I didn't want to be coming back in, that's for sure.

“All credit to Jamie (Richards). He does an amazing job with the horses and it's good to get a Group One winner in Australia for Brendan and Jo Lindsay.”

Trainer Jamie Richards said: “I thought we were in a spot of bother on the corner. She was under the pump, but to her credit she really found the line well and she's a very exciting filly. She had the fitness edge on a couple of these fillies today and we knew she had to be near her absolute best to win a good quality race like this.

“Full credit to the team at home that sent her over in such good order and Ashley Handley that has been over here looking after these horses has done a wonderful job. It's a big team effort and I'm so thrilled to get a win in these colours for Brendan and Jo, and (Cambridge Stud CEO) Henry Plumptre who's been a good person to bounce ideas off over the last couple of years. It's a big thrill.

“We only gave her a light spring (campaign) and we were always keen on the Karaka Million, the first horse in history to win both of them, so that shows the sort of filly she is. But, she's going to improve again, hopefully, as we get up in trip. 

“And, I'd like to give a big thank you to Dave & Karyn who will be watching at Ellerslie. They bought this filly, sold her Brendan and Jo, and it's a great story.”

Probabeel was strapped by Katrina Haslam. 

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