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.”

Advertisement

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.

“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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.