Probabeel all class at Caulfield
Outstanding Kiwi mare Probabeel landed her fourth Group I win when showing all her tenacity to narrowly prevail in the Group I Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Jamie Richards-trained five-year-old rallied under Brett Prebble as the pair were forced to make their run closer to the fence to deny Nonconformist by a nose, with hotfavourite Zaaki a well-held 1.85 lengths away in third.
The daughter of Savabeel relished the good 3 track conditions, recording a slick 2:01.51 for the 2000m journey and connections will be hoping for a similar firm deck as they eye another shot at the Group I Cox Plate (2040m) in a fortnight.
Raced by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, Probabeel has had no luck in two grand finals at The Valley, with wet tracks thwarting her in last year’s Cox Plate and again in the A$5 million All Star Mile (1600m).
Probabeel’s win followed that of stablemate Kahma Lass earlier on the Caulfield programme, with last season’s Group I New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner proving too strong in the Listed Weekend Hussler (1400m).
For Richards, who watched both mares win with pride from his Matamata base due to Covid restrictions, it was a case of a job well done by all involved.
‘‘It was absolutely awesome,’’ Richards said. ‘‘A lot of work and preparation goes into that sort of day. Those horses have been in work since May or June and there has been a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice, particularly from Ashley Handley [travelling foreman], who has done such a wonderful job with them.’’
The Matamata horseman has linked with in-form hoop Prebble, who also rode Kahma Lass to success, and paid homage to Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre for gaining a long-term commitment from the rider who has already notched five Group I wins this spring.
‘‘Brett is riding the crest of a wave and riding with great confidence and getting the job done,’’ Richards said.
The Cox Plate is now all but certain for the mare, unless rain comes, with the Group I Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) a week later as a back-up.
Kahma Lass, who also races in the Lindsay black and gold checks, could potentially be aimed at the Group I Cantala Stakes (1600m) having ticked the Australian blacktype box.