Prowess downs older rivals in dramatic G1 New Zealand Stakes

Breednet - Saturday March 11

Three-year-old filly Prowess showed a combination of class and guts to upstage her older rivals in Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m) at Pukekohe.

Prowess (inner) and Campionessa fight out the finish to the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m)

After racing handy to the speed set by veteran galloper The Mayor, Prowess cruised to the front at the top of the straight. Despite laying out significantly under pressure, Prowess dug deep to cross the line with a neck advantage over runner-up Campionessa.

Winning trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood, along with successful jockey Michael McNab, were forced to defend their victory in the stewards’ room, with connections of the runner-up lodging a protest after a bump late in the piece.

Third-placed La Crique and fifth-placed Defibrillate also suffered interference at the hands of the winner, but after viewing all angles the judicial committee settled on maintaining the original placings, with it clear the wayward Prowess was powering to the line too well for the vanquished.

Advertisement

James and Wellwood had made the bold call to bypass last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in favour of a tilt at the elite level against older rivals over a preferred 2000m distance, and that decision was vindicated with an all-important first Group One affixed to the record of the daughter of Proisir. 

James had argued strongly in favour of his charge during the protest proceedings and spoke of the high regard he held for the filly immediately after the race.

“Any Group One victory is important and especially for a filly and that was pretty impressive,” he said.

“It doesn’t get any better and it wasn’t easy at all as we were going to the Derby ten days ago and we made the decision not to, which was definitely the right thing to do.

“She was hand-picked (from the yearling sales) and she is doing the job for her connections.”

James and Wellwood went to $230,000 to purchase the filly as a yearling out of Hallmark Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft for long-time stable client Dean Skipper.

Out of the Don Eduardo mare Donna Marie, Prowess is a half-sister to the stakes placed Ajay Tee and has never been unplaced in eight starts having won six of those for stakes earnings in excess of $957,000.

Wellwood was understandably proud of the filly, who fended off the multiple challenges of her older rivals after being left in front a long way from home. 

“You know for a moment there it looked like perhaps we might be going to get beaten, but she was just labouring with nothing in front of her, as when she saw the challengers come up to her she kicked again,” he said.

“It was very impressive and very exciting.

“I saw the head-on film and I didn’t think we had any concerns from what I saw.”

Prowess is by Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir which capped another stunning day for the Walton-based nursery with their shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin providing the other Group One winner on the day in Tokyo Tycoon.

Prowess is the fifth individual Group One winner for Proisir with Levante, Legarto, Prowess, Dark Destroyer and Pier having all won Group One races this season.

James and Wellwood will now consider some Australian autumn targets for prowess which will likely include the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in Sydney on March 25 for which she is a $4.50 chance. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes Gr1 2050m

Pukekohe Park Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:06.53
1
Prowess
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: M J Mc Nab 52
2
0.3
Campionessa
- 5m Contributer (IRE) x Bella Carolina (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 57
3
2.6
La Crique
- 4m Vadamos (FR) x Destiny Cove (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
4
4.1
Asterix
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Mourasana (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: Joe Doyle 58.5
5
4.9
Defibrillate
- 8g Shocking (AUS) x Our Chickaroonie (NZ) (Groom Dancer (USA))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: W B Kennedy 59
6
8.9
True Enough
- 9g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Valda's Dream (NZ) (Sakura Seeking (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: J K Riddell 59
7
9.2
Chase
- 6g Zed (NZ) x Dantessa (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: S Nickalls Rdr: K R Hercock 59
8
15.9
The Mayor
- 8g Rock 'N' Pop (AUS) x Soph (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: C E Lammas 59
More Reading...
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
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.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
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.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.