Race Result:

1st: Prowess (R James & R Wellwood/M Zahra) - $2.15F
2nd: Pavitra (R & W Freedman/C Schofield) - $3.40
3rd: Fireburn (G Portelli/T Schiller) - $11

Winning Time: 2:04.06 Last 600m: 34.65

Margins: 3¼L x ¾L

 

"SHE'S A CLASS ACT!"

The Kiwi filly Prowess performs best with a dominant victory in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes! pic.twitter.com/fyW4oAST3B

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 25, 2023

Winning Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood (Roger James comments)

On his opinion of her: I've thought it for a long time that she could be the best I've trained. She is a superstar this filly. She is bloody good. She is an absolute gem. I've been the strapper this week, I was here before she was."

On how she's traveled over from NZ: "I have traveled a lot of horses to Australia and not many settle in like she did and it's her first trip away so she's only going to get better. She is a star in the making." 

Oaks next?: "No. She goes home in the morning."

What's next?: "The world is her oyster. Without being silly, there is a lot of money to be had as an older horse in Australia and she's had quite a big season. She's been to the South Island and back, she is still learning her game too. We'll get home and enjoy what we've just seen now and we can make plans from there."

On if she's the best he's trained: "She does things that I haven't had another horse be able to do and I've been very blessed. I've had Zonda, who was always the benchmark, Silent Achiever, I've had some lovely horses over the years. I've won this race with Sixty Seconds, but this filly does special things."

Back to NZ now?: "There's no place like home." 

Any idea what you'll set her for?: "None whatsoever. She is pretty versatile, she's capable from 1400m to 2000m and I truly don't believe she's a mile-and-a-half horse. We took her out of the New Zealand Derby when she was vying for favouritism for it and she does hold a nomination for the Oaks. But she also holds a slot on the plane tomorrow and that will be the one she takes." 

Golden Eagle in Oct?: "I was aware of that."

Winning Jockey: Mark Zahra

On the run: "It took a while to get me covered up but when she did she went to sleep. I had to wait for the two in front to kick before I could ease off their heels. It's not easy to do that, two not bad horses kick and she was able to change gears and had them reeled in halfway down the straight and made a mess of them."

On her only weakness: "Watching her replays, Roger (James) said that the only chink she's got she gets a bit wayward in a bit of room. But once I got the whip over her and had a bit of focus I was able to sit up and enjoy the Group 1."

On getting the pickup ride from James McDonald: "Sorry to J Mac (James McDonald) but he's got probably near 100 (Group 1s) and another 100 coming in the next year. It was nice to get a pickup ride like and she was a level above."

"It's a big thanks to Roger (James) for even getting the ride, how I got chosen. Unlucky for J Mac, I didn't have a ride in the race or I was on something that I think was going to be 50-1 and to just pick it up, very thankful for the owners. Good on him (Roger James) though, brought her here in fine fettle. To come here and win like that, it's a great feather in their cap."

On how she felt: "She gave me a good feel cantering around. I felt I've got a power under there I reckon when I have to ask her. The spot I was in I had to let them kick to get room and she did idle a bit when I got out, had a bit of a look. But when I give her one and pressed the button, I had them covered in 200m. The last 200m was sit back and enjoy the show."

Beaten Jockeys:

Tyler Schiller (Fireburn): "She was terrific. She jumped really well. I think she will get 2400m plenty. I think that is where she is going next."

Chad Schofield (Pavitra): "She ran well. Our race went to plan. Full credit to the winner. We got beaten by an absolute weapon."

Brett Prebble (Polygon): "Much better run. I thought out to a more suitable trip and more juice in the track she liked that."

Tim Clark (Soul Choice): "She gave a good sight. Just that last little bit she looked to peak."

Sam Clipperton (Pierossa): "She has gone terrific. Got shuffled back at a vital stage. Very good run for the Oaks."

Nash Rawiller (Call Di): "She was very honest at that trip. Probably better suited at the mile."

Tom Sherry (So Dazzling): "She landed in a good spot early. The pace came out of it and we got shuffled back. She finished off OK."

Tom Marquand (Byron Belle): "Got a good trip around and ran super."

Kerrin McEvoy (Infinitive): "Good run by her. We were posted without cover and stayed on well. She will enjoy Randwick if they go there for the Oaks."

Brenton Avdulla (Frankie's Me Dad): "I was happy enough with it. Just the tick over run she probably needed to have heading to the Oaks. Back in trip lacked a turn of speed. Probably can't roll the kiwi filly but wasn't beaten far."

Rachel King (Whisky Wisdom): "A bit outclassed today."

Robbie Dolan (Stormy Witness): "Didn't have a lot of experience. Didn't disgrace herself today."