Probabeel comples top day for Savabeel

Top mare Probabeel completed a black type double for Savabeel when she landed the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick in style.

Her successfollowed the earlier debut victory of Sheezzacatch in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy at Hastings.

Waikato Stud graduate Probabeel was a deserved winner following her luckless run for second when resuming in the G3 Show County.

Trained by Jamie Richards, last season’s G1 Surround Stakes winner sat in fourth spot and one off the fence before she was brought with a well-timed finish by Kerrin McEvoy, who believes the G1 Epsom Handicap is the perfect next assignment for her.

“It’s an ideal race, a bit further in trip and there is improvement to come from her,” he said. “She’s a lovely mare to ride and I think she will be very hard to beat in the Epsom with a nice weight on her back.”

Probabeel is prepared by Te Akau head trainer Jamie Richards and among his support crew in Sydney is former top jumps jockey Craig Thornton.

“Kerrin went out there in a positive frame of mind and it all worked out well,” he said. “She has thrived since she has been over here and it’s on to the Epsom Handicap now.”

Sold by Waikato Stud for $380,000 to Te Akau’s David Ellis at Karaka, Probabeel is a daughter of the Pins mare Far Fetched, a three-time winner and Group 3 placegetter.

She is out of a half-sister to the Group winners Legless Veuve and Tootsie, dam of the three-time Group 2 winner and sire Ocean Emperor. It’s also the family of the Savabeel’s dual Group 1 winner Savvy Coup.