Proisir Mare Prowess Ready for G2 Crystal Mile

Media Release - Thursday October 26

Pre-race indicators all point to another high-class performance from Prowess in her delayed introduction to the Melbourne spring carnival.

The multiple Group One winner suffered an early setback in her preparation, but the daughter of Proisir has bounced back and ready to shine in Saturday’s Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley.

Prowess will run in the G2 Crysal Mile at Moonee Valley -image Steve Hart

Prowess struck an unsuitably wet going at Hawera when she finished runner-up in her seasonal debut in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and hasn’t missed a beat since.

“It was a heavy track and she has found good improvement since and we are very happy where she’s at,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains the four-year-old with Roger James.

Prowess will be opposed by only five rivals on Saturday, but it will still provide a stern test.

Advertisement

“It’s a small but quality field with two horses (Tuvalu and Antino) that ran second in Group Ones at their last starts and obviously Mustang Valley who was a Group One winner over a mile (Arrowfield Stud Plate, 1600m) the start before,” Wellwood said.

“It might be a small field, but it’s a very good one. She got into Melbourne late on Wednesday night and reports have been good.

“She has eaten and drunk well and had a quiet little trot and canter on Thursday morning and seems very happy and well.”

As long as expectations are met at The Valley, Prowess will head to Flemington for her next appearance.

“It’s exciting heading forward and she is back on track and with a good run and provided she comes through it well, her main target for the revised spring will be the Champion Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) on November 11,” Wellwood said.

Prowess will be ridden at the weekend by the in-form Mark Zahra, who guided her to victory in last season’s Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

“He’s in terrific form and it’s great to have him back on,” Wellwood said.

The stable will also have major interest at the Pukekohe meeting where their promising filly Sudbina will contest the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m).

It will pose a significant challenge for the daughter of Almanzor, who was a last-start maiden winner at Taupo.

“It will really suit her getting up to 1400m on a bigger track, but it is a very good field and a big step up for her,” Wellwood said.

“We are going to find out where she stacks up against pretty much the best three-year-old fillies in the country.”

Riccarton is an unlikely option for the lightly tried Sudbina, who doesn’t hold a nomination for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

“We would never say never though, and if she was to blow them away on Saturday then perhaps we might look at the Guineas,” Wellwood said.

“At this stage though, she’ll be staying up here and we’ll look at the fillies’ races over Christmas.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Prowess Return Delayed
A tilt at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) has been put in doubt for Prowess following a setback this week.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last 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.
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 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.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
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.
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.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.