Extraordinary Karaka Million Victory for Probabeel (NZ)

Te Akau Racing and Brendan and Jo Lindsay are set to be major players in a huge week of selling action at Karaka 2019, and they joined forces for an unforgettable victory by Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday evening.

Te Akau principal David Ellis has been the leading buyer at Karaka every year for more than a decade, and his purchases have starred on racetracks under the guidance of young trainer Jamie Richards.

Along with Group 1 races on both sides of the Tasman, the team won the Karaka Million 2YO in 2017 and 2018 with Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

On Sunday they made it three in a row with star filly Probabeel, carrying the gold and black colours of the Lindsays, who are about to offer their first Karaka yearling draft as owners of Cambridge Stud.

Probabeel, who was a $380,000 purchase at Book 1 last January, earned Karaka Million favouritism with brilliant victories at Ellerslie in her last two starts. But her hopes took a serious blow when she came out of Wednesday’s barrier draw with the outside gate, and she dropped to second favouritism.

But Sunday’s big race left her supremacy in no doubt. Rider Opie Bosson, who rode Melody Belle and Avantage, dropped back from that horror gate and bided his time until the home straight.

Her Group 2-winning stablemate Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) surged to the front at the straight in what looked like a winning move, but then Probabeel exploded. She bounded to the lead and raced away, opening up by two and three-quarter lengths for one of the standout victories in the Karaka Million’s 11-year history.

Aotea Lad held on for second, with three-quarters of a length back to two dead-heaters for third – another stablemate, Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel), along with the Stephen Marsh-trained Appellant (NZ) (Showcasing).

For Lindsay, this was a very special result.

“It’s just a dream come true,” he said. “We bought the stud, it is great for our business, great for our staff. She’s bred in New Zealand, it’s a great story. She’s trained by a great trainer and selected by a great judge in David Ellis.”

Richards made history as the first trainer to saddle a Karaka Million trifecta, albeit with a dead heat for third.

“David Ellis is my biggest supporter and has given me every opportunity,” he said. “He buys lovely horses.

“The staff at home do a great job, it’s a big team effort. We’re also very grateful to Cambridge Stud for trusting us with this filly.

“Sir Peter Vela, New Zealand Bloodstock and the Auckland Racing Club have put on a wonderful event today and it’s a big thrill to get this result.”

Probabeel has now had four starts for three wins, a second placing and $580,500 in prizemoney – almost double her purchase price.

Runner-up Aotea Lad was bought by Ellis for $200,000 and has now had three starts for a win, two placings and $246,150.

The first of the third placegetters, Yourdeel, cost $100,000 and has earned $80,600 in his three-start career to date. Appellant, a $30,000 purchase, has now earned $94,250.

The race produced a quinella for champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, who is the sire of 71 yearlings in the Book 1 catalogue at Karaka 2019.

Lot 651, a Makfi filly offered by Woburn Farm, is a half-sister to Aotea Lad. Lot 1134, a Proisir colt in Book 3, is a half-brother to Yourdeel.