As she did in the autumn, star New Zealand mareĀ ProbabeelĀ has made a winning return on Australian shores at Caulfield.
ProbabeelĀ won the Group 3Ā BellmaineĀ StakesĀ when first-up at Caulfield in the autumn and was back in action on Saturday to claim the Group 3 WĀ WĀ Cockram Stakes (1200m).
The Jamie Richards-trained daughter ofĀ SavabeelĀ may not have been as dominant in her victory on Saturday as in her autumn success, but there was plenty of merit in the win.
Sent off the $1.95 favourite under Damian Lane,Ā ProbabeelĀ registered aĀ short-neckĀ win from Chassis ($41) with Instant Celebrity ($4.40) a neck away third.
ProbabeelĀ is stabledĀ withĀ Anthony and Sam Freedman at Flemington and their racing manager Brad TaylorĀ said there was still improvement to come from the mare.
“I thought, having a good look at her in the yard today, she looked very good,” Taylor said.
“She is very similar to what she was first-up last timeĀ andĀ Jamie said she was in similar fettle.
“The coat is not as good coming out of the New Zealand winter, but she presented well and there’s nice improvement there with bigger things to come.”
Taylor indicated the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 18 was the next outing forĀ Probabeel.
“He’s hopeful that Behemoth can win justĀ toĀ keep her weight down a little bit, but obviously she’ll get a couple of points from today,” Taylor said.
“I think he’s been speaking to the handicapper and said she would’veĀ (had) 57Ā (kg) beforeĀ that.
“She would be well-rated in a race like that and being 116Ā (rated), she’ll probably go to 118 andĀ maybeĀ get an extra kilo.”
Lane saidĀ ProbabeelĀ was more dominantĀ first-upĀ in theĀ autumnĀ but he put that down to be ridden a little further back on Saturday.
“SheĀ probably just peaked on her run late so she will be better for the run, but she’s come back in terrific order,” Lane said.
