Probabeel Australian Group 1 Perfection - Again!

She got them again. On Saturday at Caulfield, Probabeel(4 m Savabeel - Far Fetched, by Pins) recorded her third Group One in Australia, with a gigantic effort in the $500,000 Lamaro's Sth Melbourne Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m).

Having resumed on the course a fortnight earlier with a brilliant victory in the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m), and already a winner of the Surround Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and $1m Epsom Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Australian soil, Probabeel made it three in convincing fashion.

Teamed up again with Damian Lane, Probabeel had to settle for racing three wide in sixth after beginning from barrier nine. Chasing a genuine pace and eased wide on straightening, it was apparent when quickening to the leaders a furlong out that she had their measure.

Kept tight in the market throughout, Probabeel returned $3.30 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB and ran the 1400 metres on good footing in 1:22.7.

“We finished third in the race last year with Melody Belle and to win with Probabeel is very special,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “It's been won by some great gallopers over the years and New Zealand trained horses have succeeded recently with Mufhasa, Turn Me Loose, and now Probabeel.

“I'm thrilled again for Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) and everyone at Cambridge Stud. She's flying their colours against the best and I couldn't be happier.

“She presented very relaxed, knows her job, and we'd been pleased with how she'd trained on since winning there two weeks ago.

“She began well again, but barrier nine was always going to be awkward. It wasn't pretty to be stuck out wide, but she found a great sprint when Damian asked her to stretch and it looked like she had Arcadia Queen covered.

“I'm immensely proud of her and we can really look forward to contesting the All-Star Mile.”

The weight-for-age $5m All-Star Mile (1600m) is scheduled for 13 March at Moonee Valley, where Probabeel has shortened from $10.00 to remain third elect at $7.00 with Sportsbet.

One in a trio of star mares trained by Richards, the feats of Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Melody Belle (Commands), and Probabeel have accumulated 23 Group One victories between them.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $380,000, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, Probabeel was snapped up days later by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay (Cambridge Stud) when inspecting the yearlings at Te Akau Stud, and she has now won 10 of her 21 starts, including six seconds, and topped NZ$3 million prize money.

“It's just amazing what Brendan and Jo have done for the New Zealand racing industry since they bought Cambridge Stud from Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, and Probabeel is another example of the wonderful broodmare band they're building,” Ellis said.

“They have been a big part of the success that Jamie (Richards) has had in getting to his 40^thGroup One win at such a young age. I thought it was brilliant to get to 40 in such style. She beat a proper field today. She sat three wide and to do that against the best sprinter/milers in Australia is enormous testament to her ability and the condition in which she presented for the race.

“We're working really well with Cambridge Stud. They're a huge part of the whole Te Akau team. Henry Plumptre, their CEO, is doing an amazing job and giving Jamie some really good help. He's had as much experience as anyone in the racing world, having managed so many top enterprises and it's a big thrill for me to see Brendan and Jo and everyone at Cambridge Stud getting all this success.

“Also, well done to Waikato Stud and the Chittick family for breeding this really good mare and she's a great example of what you can buy at Karaka. She's been an incredible filly from day one and it's great to see her so sound, and it looks to me like she's still improving.

“Her next start is the $5m All-Star Mile in three weeks time at Moonee Valley.

“Days like this don't happen without the support of all the staff and Ashley Handley is doing a fantastic job looking after her for us in Melbourne. She was back four or five weeks ago working for us in the Middle Barn where Probabeel was trained from, run by Nicole Shailer and Sam Bergerson, and it's a really big team effort.”

By NZ six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from a mare by Champion Sire Pins (Snippets), Probabeel is both a natural and brilliant galloper and always one with the physique to continue improving with time.

With connections being unable to attend, due to Covid-19, trainer Jamie Richards was represented by childhood friend Brad Taylor, who works as racing manager for Freedman Racing in Melbourne.

“He's been a very good mate to me and I take a lot of inspiration from what he does,” Taylor said. “He gets up at quarter to two every morning and he's in the office a couple of hours before any staff member turns up.

“He's dedicated his life to it and probably missed out on a few things he would liked to have done with his mates, but for days like this he deserves everything he gets. The success he has is just fantastic.

“He's been put in a very good position and if he was standing here I'm sure he would say a big thank you to David Ellis, Mark Walker, and Karyn. They've put a lot of trust in him and he's delivering the results.”

Probabeel was strapped by Ashley Handley.

Photo credit - Racing Photos, Australia