Proisir Mare Wins G2 Crystal Mile

Media Release - Saturday October 28

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 wins the G2 Crystal Mile -  image Grant Courtney

The daughter of Proisir was a Group One winner on both sides of the Tasman last season, culminating in a three-length demolition of her rivals in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in Sydney in late March.

That performance prompted her connections to set their spring sights on Saturday’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), but some cruelly timed minor setbacks disrupted her build-up through August and September. Prowess eventually made it to Cox Plate Day, albeit in a supporting race over a shorter distance, and she landed that consolation prize in impressive style.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, Prowess settled nicely in fourth place in a field of only six, enjoying a cosy run along the rail. An opening appeared on the outside of the front-running Tuvalu at the top of the straight, and Prowess worked through her gears, lengthened stride and finished over the top of that rival.

Fellow Kiwi-bred Antino dived through the inside in the final 100m in an outstanding performance of his own, but Prowess was out of his reach and took the win by a short neck.

Advertisement

“It is great to be back over here and winning again,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains Prowess in partnership with Roger James.

“Ideally we would have liked to have been running in the Cox Plate today, but she just had a few little niggles. They weren’t major, but just stopped us at some crucial times.

“We’ve been able to get the preparation back on track now. All going well from here, we’ll head to the last day at Flemington for the Champions Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m), and we’re really looking forward to seeing her back up over further again.

“She’s in awesome order, and in hindsight, the setbacks have probably been a blessing in disguise. She’s developed, and I really think she’ll be even bigger and stronger next year. She’s pretty immature.”

Prowess is a superstar fir Proisir - image Grant Courtney

Prowess followed in the footsteps of another top-quality mare trained by James, Silent Achiever, who also won the Crystal Mile as a four-year-old in 2012.

“Roger has always said that they have similarities,” Wellwood said.  “I reckon they both had a few little struggles early in the their four-year-old preparations, and that’s why they ended up in this race.

“It’ll be terrific to be here next year going 440m further.”

Saturday’s performance made a favourable impression on Zahra, who was also in the saddle for the Vinery win seven months ago.

“She’s as big and strong as ever,” he said. “I think the barrier boys were calling her a boy. She’s huge. She’s a big mare and I reckon she’ll improve a lot from today.

“There’s still a lot of improvement to come. When I got the gap, I thought she’d scoot away. I reckon she’s still a bit rusty this prep and will improve off that.”

James and Wellwood went to $230,000 to purchase Prowess out of Hallmark Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft on behalf of owner Dean Skipper.

One of five individual Group One winners for the remarkable stallion Proisir, Prowess was bred by the Baker family of Hallmark Stud and is out of the Don Eduardo mare Donna Marie, who is also the dam of the stakes performer Ajay Tee.

From 11 starts, Prowess has now had eight wins, three placings and more than $1.5 million in prize-money. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - McCafe Crystal Mile Gr2 1600m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:35.79
1
Prowess
- 4m Proisir (AUS) x Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
2
0.2
Antino
- 5g Redwood (GB) x Mahamaya (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: B Shinn 59
3
0.4
Tuvalu
- 6g Kermadec (NZ) x Hangin' Tough (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Jamie Kah 59
4
2.1
Just Folk
- 7g Magnus (AUS) x Fast Ruby (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: D Oliver 59
5
2.5
Bankers Choice
- 6g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Signorina (NZ) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
6
2.9
Mustang Valley
- 5m Vanbrugh (AUS) x Cream Of The Crop (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: O P Bosson 57
More Reading...
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.
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 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.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.