Might And Power: Jamie Richards looking forward to Probabeel’s rematch with Cox Plate favourite Zaaki

Probabeel takes on Zaaki again in the Might And Power and trainer Jamie Richards isn’t conceding to the raging Cox Plate favourite.

Probabeel will be better suited at Caulfield when she goes up against Zaaki again. Picture: Getty Images

Jamie Richards has admiration for Zaaki but not a concession speech just yet, as the champion New Zealand trainer’s star mare Probabeel spoils for an upset in Saturday’s Group 1 Might And Power.

Zaaki opened at Winx-odds $1.28 with TAB on Wednesday for the 2000m feature, formerly Caulfield Stakes, and traditional stepping stone towards the $5m Cox Plate.

“It’s going to be an interesting race,” Richards said.

“I wouldn’t be putting up the white flag or anything yet but he does look awfully hard to beat.”

Zaaki cruised to an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes last start at Sandown Hillside, holding two lengths on runner-up Probabeel.

Probabeel is rated a $6 second favourite with TAB for Saturday’s assignment, ahead of Homesman ($10) and Caulfield Cup-bound Nonconformist ($13).

“We’ll run well but he looks to be a real superstar isn’t he?” Richards said.

“I don’t think there’s too much between them, it’s not like he ran away and won by 10 lengths.

“I thought she ran really well in behind him and gave a decent shake but he does look awfully hard to beat.”

Probabeel chasing Zaaki in the Underwood Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

The return bout at Caulfield suits Probabeel, a three-time winner at The Heath including Group 1 Futurity Stakes in the autumn.

While Zaaki quickened smartly to bank a convincing win last start, Probabeel never gave up despite her momentum being interrupted slightly in the straight.

The mare responded to the urgings of red-hot jockey Brett Prebble, who has won three of the six Victorian Group 1s contested this season, to hold the margin on Zaaki in the run to the finish.

“100 per cent she is (up for the fight), always has been,” Richards said.

“She enjoys Caulfield, only going to be a small field again, hopefully we get our chance.

“He’s got an amazing turn of foot and that sets apart the ordinary ones from the very good ones.

“He’s able to sit handy to a good strong speed and then quicken off it and go faster, I think that seems to be where he gets his brilliance from.”

The Cox Plate on October 23 and Group 1 Empire Rose, October 30, remain on the table for Probabeel.

“We’re going to know exactly where we are from a Cox Plate point of view once we get through Saturday,” Richards said.

Zaaki is likely to start shorter than $1.28 come the rush on Saturday.

Winx was $1.24 when she accounted for Black Heart Bart and He Or She in the 2016 Caulfield Stakes — one of six odds-on winners of the race the past 30 years.

Russian Camelot was runner-up last year as a $1.40 commodity when beaten by Arcadia Queen.

Originally published as Might And Power: Jamie Richards looking forward to Probabeel’s rematch with Cox Plate favourite Zaaki