Twelve Rivals for Probabeel (NZ) in Quest for Karaka Million History
23 January 2020
There are 12 opponents standing between exceptional filly Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and a piece of Karaka Million history at Ellerslie on Saturday evening.
Probabeel scored a brilliant and dominant victory in last year’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) after jumping from the extreme outside gate. This year she is back and shooting for a repeat result in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).
No horse has ever won both $1m races for graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales Series.
Before the 3YO Classic was elevated to a $1m purse in 2018, Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward) won the Karaka Million 2YO and finished third in the 3YO race, while Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio) and Icepin (NZ) (Pins) placed in the Karaka Million 2YO before finishing first and second in the 3YO race.
Probabeel went on from last year’s Karaka Million heroics to perform with distinction in Sydney, placing in the Group One Flight Stakes (1600m) and Group Two Tea Rose Stakes (1400m). She resumed with a smooth win at Awapuni on January 4.
Her opposition on Saturday include Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who won the Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m) before placing in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Levin Classic (1600m).
Australian flavour is provided by Conqueror (Fastnet Rock), who brings many similarities with last year’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic winner Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock). Both are by Fastnet Rock, both race in the colours of part-owners Coolmore, both are trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, and both benefit from the Ellerslie expertise of champion expat New Zealand jockey James McDonald.
Conqueror has yet to win at stakes level, but he has placed in the Group Two Stutt Stakes (1600m) and Sandown Guineas (1600m) and was a close sixth in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
The Karaka Million 3YO Classic will be run as the final race of Saturday’s star-studded twilight race meeting at Ellerslie, with a start time of 7:42pm.
View the full Karaka Million 3YO Classic field online.
To watch the replay of the live barrier draw click here.
KARAKA 2020 SCHEDULE:
Karaka Million Twilight Meeting: Saturday 25 January at Ellerslie
Book 1: Sunday 26 – Tuesday 28 January
Book 2: Wednesday 29 – Friday 31 January
Book 3: Friday 31 January