Outstanding Kiwi mare Probabeel has rocketed to equal favouritism for the All-Star Mile with a resounding victory in the Futurity Stakes.
Probabeel swept down the middle of the track and proved too good for another top mare in Perth star Arcadia Queen, who also came from well back to finish second.
TAB fixed odds reacted to the performances of both mares by making them equal $4 favourites for the All-Star Mile, Probabeel firming from $8 and Arcadia Queen from $6.
The pair both polled highly in the All-Star Mile voting and are guaranteed a start in the $5 million race.
Favourite Behemoth, who finished with the most number of votes, was well placed in the run but weakened to finish fourth.
Probabeel’s victory completed a race-to-race double for Damian Lane, who won the Group Two Autumn Classic on Parure.
Lane said Probabeel’s effort was super and she was too good for her rivals.
“She’s so versatile. She jumped well and I brought her back. I put her in the race early and not many horses can sustain a sprint from as far out as she did,” Lane said.
Brad Taylor, who represented Probabeel’s trainer Jamie Richards, said it was a terrific effort from the four-year-old to sit deep and defeat a field of that quality.
“She’s a grand, fit mare now and Jamie and the whole team at home can be proud of her,” Taylor said.
Arcadia Queen’s jockey Willie Pike said her run was full of merit and she would derive improvement from it.
