Probabeel Outstanding - Melbourne Group 3

On path to the W. S. Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) potentially, clear favourite Probabeel (5 m Savabeel - Far Fetched, by Pins) resumed with victory in the $200,000 W.W. Cockram Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Saturday at Caulfield, Melbourne.

The pride and joy of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay, and already a three time Group One winner on Australian soil, Probabeel ended her previous campaign in terrific form and was no less impressive when commencing in style.

Back home in April after finishing second in the Queen of the Turf Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Randwick, following brilliant victories in both the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) and Futurity Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) in February at Caulfield, Probabeel trialled twice in preparation and champion trainer Jamie Richards had her perfectly conditioned to prove competitive over a sprint trip.

The combination of rider Damian Lane and Probabeel kept intact an unbeaten record at Caulfield, notching a hat-trick, and the boy from Bunbury (Western Australia), now based in Melbourne, is associated with one of the best mares in Australasia.

“It was a similar sort of win to the (Geoffrey) Bellmaine Stakes,” Lane said. “She was probably a little more dominant in the Bellmaine in the autumn, but I was more on top of the speed and she bullied the race, whereas today she was off the speed and had to sprint hard.

“She just peaked on her run late, so she'll be better for the run. She's come back in terrific order.”

Carrying equal top weight (60kg) and drawn outside barrier (9) were imposing factors to handicap Probabeel, yet despite being no closer than three wide throughout she was able to lift in a manner that only those with sheer class are able.

On Good4 footing, Probabeel ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.5 and returned $1.90 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

Probabeel will now prepare for the $1m Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) on Saturday 18 September at Caulfield, with the $5m W. S. Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) scheduled for Saturday 23 October at Moonee Valley.

“She's a bit above herself in condition, but I'm really happy with that and it was a good win,” Richards said. “I think we made the right call running her at 1200 metres and she'll have three weeks into the Rupert Clarke, which will be ideal.

“She has to carry hefty weight (around 57kg), but she has an affinity with Caulfield and goes really well on the course.

“She was given a lovely ride by Damian (Lane). Ashely Handley is over there with her and has done a fantastic job, and I can't thank Brad Taylor and the Freedman's enough for stabling her for us at Flemington.

“She's back in her routine and we look forward to her next start. It's great to have her back. It's been a testing time not being able to race here in New Zealand, so to see her race like that is big lift for the whole team and everyone involved.”

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, an historical winner of both the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), has won 11 of her 24 starts, including seven seconds, and topped NZ$3.3 million prize money.

“We're very excited for Brendan and Jo and I think the win today is a fantastic result for so many people,” Ellis said. “It's a result for New Zealand Bloodstock, Cambridge Stud, the New Zealand breeding industry, Waikato Stud and Te Akau Racing but the whole industry wins out of that. She typifies what great horses we breed in this country.

“One of things that keep Karyn and I so charged about the industry we're involved in is the team that we've got. Ashley (Handley) has done such a fantastic job for us in Australia. Her commitment and dedication to the industry is incredible. Nothing is a problem for her and she's an absolute champion.

“It's quite freakish what she does. She's gone into a Covid zone, puts everything on the line for the horses in her care and we're just so proud of everything she's done. She's a brilliant New Zealander that is doing a fantastic job and she has made the whole country so proud today.

“Also, we're thrilled to be a part of the Boys Get Paid movement and what Luke Kemeys and his team are doing for this industry is indescribable. They put $20,000 on her for the punters club, so it's a great result for all involved in that.

“It's a dark time in New Zealand, and a win like this gives everyone a boost. Jamie (Richards) has done an incredible job training the mare, while running the stable in these difficult times, and onwards and upwards.”

Despite conspiring factors impinging on the task, Karyn Fenton-Ellis (MNZM) remained confident. “I have so much confidence in Damian Lane because he has clicked with her so well,” she said. “It was hard to be confident when you're three wide, fresh-up, under 60-kilos over 1200 metres, so all of those things were a concern, but they have such a relationship that they're now three from three at Caulfield.”

Winning the Cockram Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) was a great start to the campaign and now as a five-year-old an even stronger version of Probabeel appears ideally poised for the challenges ahead.

Probabeel was strapped by Ashley Handley.