Probabeel (NZ) Makes Karaka Million History

Superstar filly Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) made Karaka Million history at Ellerslie on Saturday with a sparkling victory in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).

The $380,000 Book 1 purchase became the first ever Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner to come back 12 months later and triumph again in the three-year-old race.

Just like last year, when she produced an electric finishing burst after breaking from the extreme outside gate, Probabeel won Saturday’s race with a scintillating sprint in the home straight.

Rider Opie Bosson eased her back in the early stages of the race as Pimlico (NZ) (Proisir) and Our Creed (NZ) (Charm Spirit) set up a strong pace in front. Probabeel was 10 lengths from the leaders in a strung-out field as they charged down the side of the track towards the home turn.

But then Bosson let Probabeel rip down the outside, and she suddenly burst to the lead with 300 metres to run.

Australian raider Conqueror (Fastnet Rock) gave brave chase, but Probabeel stayed well out of his reach and won by a length and a half.

“It wasn't a pretty ride,” Bosson said. “We had to come right round them, but she was too good. Once she balanced up, she was pretty impressive.”

Raced by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Probabeel has now won five of her 11 starts and $1.29 million in prize-money – more than three times her purchase price.

“What a day, what a horse,” Brendan Lindsay said. “I thought she was going to win easily when she raced to the lead in the straight, but it just got a bit nerve-racking in the last bit, but we’re here now.

“She’s the first horse to ever do this, and I think it’ll be a long time before anyone else does it again.”

The win was part of a dream day for Bosson, Te Akau Racing and Jamie Richards. The powerful combination also won the Karaka Million 2YO for the fourth consecutive year with Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel).

A relieved Richards admitted after the race that the expectation of a historic victory by Probabeel had got to him.

“There was a bit of pressure coming into today, and I was pretty keen just to get through it,” he said. “But full credit to everyone, it was a big team effort and a great result.

“She probably got a little bit further back than we might have wanted, but we didn’t want Opie to rush her. She was a little bit unhappy at Awapuni last time when we rode her for a more prominent position.

“Opie just kept her happy, and then she quickened really well in the straight and put them away pretty nicely.

“Now we’re really looking forward to getting her back over to Australia, more than likely for the Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 29.”

Runner-up Conqueror was a $1 million purchase from Curraghmore’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2018. He has now won more than $400,000 in his 11-start career, including Group Two placings in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) and Sandown Guineas (1600m) and a close sixth in the prestigious Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Third-placed Hasstobegood (NZ) (Per Incanto) cost $35,000 from Book 2. She has now 10 starts for a win and six placings, earning more than $101,000 in stakes.

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