Star Kiwi Mare Prowess on Target for G1 Champions Stakes

Media Release - Thursday November 9

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.

Prowess won the G2 Crystal Mile on Cox Plate day - image Grant Courtney

“It is her biggest test to date without a doubt, but we have ticked the boxes,” James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood, told TAB NZ

“She has got fresh legs, it is only third up for her – tick; it is 2000m – another tick; she is in grand order - another tick; and she is well trained – that must be four ticks.”

The four-year-old mare had an interrupted start to her spring preparation which forced her to miss the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley last month, but she earned a consolation prize with victory in the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) on the undercard, giving James his third win in the race.

“She left home and I was pretty confident she would be hard to beat. I always thought she would be better with the run under her belt and I still stick with that,” James said.

James arrived back in Melbourne last week and was rapt with Prowess’ condition ahead of the Champions Stakes, with the daughter of Proisir continuing to please him with her work this week.

“I was really happy when I got here on Friday night, only having raced a week earlier she looked tremendous,” he said.

Advertisement

“She did a nice piece of work on Saturday and an even bigger piece of work on Tuesday, and I think she is pretty much where we want her now.”

Prowess will be ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Mark Zahra out of gate four on Saturday.

“His ride in the Cup was gold and his ride on her was gold as well (in the Crystal Mile). I am hoping I am still saying that on Saturday night, but he just makes good decisions,” James said.

“The field is made up to be a very good field, but we are up to the challenge I think.”

Prowess will return to New Zealand next week in preparation for an autumn campaign, with Saturday’s run dictating what path she takes.

“She will be home in the paddock come Wednesday and she will probably have two weeks off and in that time we would have planned what we are going to do in the autumn,” James said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
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.
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.
Prowess Return Delayed
A tilt at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) has been put in doubt for Prowess following a setback this week.
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.