Probabeel eyes Sires Produce

Probabeel’s main target is proving the right target.

The Karaka Million winner discovered what most elite New Zealand juveniles have in the past, that the path to the Golden Slipper is an uphill battle run at speed, when she was a brave sixth at Rosehill on Saturday.

But trainer Jamie Richards was anything but disappointed by her performance and now has a more realistic target to look forward to.

Probabeel is in a rain-soaked Sydney to be aimed at the A$1 million Sires’ Produce on April 6 and started in Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes to keep her fitness ticking over with the tiny hope she could win and sneak into the Slipper this Saturday.

Even had she won on Saturday, her connections were never deadset on a start in the Slipper but that became a moot point when Probabeel settled back and never looked a winning chance before closing strongly late.

That suggested the mad scramble of the Slipper wouldn’t have been her race even had she earned enough money to get in but the 1400m of the Sires on the roomy Randwick track could be ideal.

“Initially it is deflating when a horse as good as her doesn’t win,” admitted trainer Jamie Richards. “But she got too far back and Rosehill can be notoriously hard to come that wide on, not that Opie [Bosson, jockey] had any other choice.

“That and the fact the very heavy track wouldn’t have helped her meant it was a good run and she will be far better suited in the Sires. So we are happy to go down that path.”

Aussie bookies moved Probabeel out to $11 after her first career unplaced run but she should be shorter because several of those above her in the market could have their brains fried by the Slipper.

While Sydney juveniles wins are elusive even for a stable with Te Akau’s freshman firepower, Richards’ domination of the domestic two-yearold scene continued with hot favourite Equinox at Trentham on Saturday.

Favourite punters would have been thrilled when he crossed to an easy early lead but the last 50m wasn’t as comfortable a watch as Holy Mongolemperor flew at him late and would have won in two more strides.

Both horses will head to the Sires’ Produce at Awapuni on March 30 where Sistema Stakes winner Yourdeel awaits them.