Another Star Proisir Filly Aiming Up at Australia

Media Release - Monday March 6

Leading filly Prowess will book her passage to Australia with a performance to match expectations against older opposition at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Prowess will contest the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kirstin Ledington

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-prepared representative has the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m) on an alternative program following her trainers’ late move to sidestep the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

This weekend’s weight-for-age feature became the three-year-old’s target after they decided starting Prowess over the Classic distance at Te Rapa wasn’t in the filly’s best interests.

“As long as I’m happy with her work in the morning (Tuesday), she will run on Saturday,” James said.

“Since we changed tack I couldn’t be happier with her, she’s done very well.”

Prowess will be chasing her fourth win on the bounce after reeling off victories in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m), Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) and the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m).

Should she again satisfy connections on Saturday, the daughter of Proisir will head to Sydney for the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on March 25.

She is currently the $5 second favourite for the Rosehill contest behind another daughter of the Rich Hill Stud stallion in Legarto at $4.50.

However, trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have indicated their Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) heroine will be returning home following her spectacular Flemington victory.

Australia is also very much in the mix for Prowess’ promising stablemate Mark Twain, who finished in behind the major players in Saturday’s Derby.

Advertisement

The OTI Racing-owned son of Shocking ran fourth at just his fifth appearance and left James rueing the run the gelding received from gate six.

“When the draws came out I wished he had drawn 10, 11 or 12 or something like that and able to be one off,” he said.

“He got locked away on the fence and that was his undoing really.”

James has yet to decide which path will be taken with Mark Twain, who had won at New Plymouth and Hastings prior to last Saturday.

“I will have a talk with the owners and hatch a plan from there, I don’t know if he would even get in the ATC Derby (Gr.1, 2400m),” he said.

“There are a few options for him and he appears to have come through the race very well.”

Meanwhile, the Cambridge Stud-bred and raced Pinarello will kick off his autumn campaign at Pukekohe on Saturday.

“He will run in the 1400m sprint and he is in grand order. We will make a plan for him after that,” James said.

The Tavistock four-year-old won last season’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) before a three-start spring campaign in Sydney where his best effort was a fifth placing in the Gr.3 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Proisir Mare Prowess Ready for G2 Crystal Mile
Pre-race indicators all point to another high-class performance from Prowess in her delayed introduction to the Melbourne spring carnival.
Prowess Back on Track
After a couple of false starts, Group One winner Prowess had her first public hit-out the season in an exhibition gallop alongside stablemate Contemplation at Matamata on Wednesday.
Prowess Retired to Stud
Outstanding Group I winning mare Prowess has run her last race with Kingsclere Stables announcing the daughter of Proisir has been retired due to a degenerative hoof condition.
Two Highest Priced Yearlings in World This Year Highlight Tattersalls October Day 1
The opening day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw two colts realise 3,700,000 guineas and 3,600,000 guineas, both exceeding the highest price for a yearling sold anywhere in the world in 2025, and five seven-figure lots.
Proisir Mare Wins G2 Crystal Mile
High-class New Zealand mare Prowess put a frustrating early spring behind her in style with a bold Melbourne debut in Saturday’s Gr.2 McCafe Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale Links
Tuesday saw the final breeze ups at the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report, with most lots having been sold previously.
Star Kiwi Mare Prowess on Target for G1 Champions Stakes
Roger James believes he has ticked all the boxes with his multiple Group One winner Prowess ahead of the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.