It has been more than two decades since a New Zealand-based trainer has upstaged the locals in the Vinery Stud Stakes and the man who last achieved the feat is back to break the drought.
Roger James, who now trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood, claimed the Group One with Sixty Seconds (NZ) (Centaine) in 2002 and on Saturday at Rosehill he will saddle up star Kiwi filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir).
Sixty Seconds came from back in the field to capture the 2002 renewal before going on to finish fifth to Republic Lass (Canny Lad) in the Oaks, but James described Prowess as being a different style of filly.
“Prowess has got more brilliance than Sixty Seconds had. She’s sharper,” James said.
A daughter of Proisir, Prowess has won six of her eight starts across the Tasman and boasts a stakes win over recent Australian Guineas victor Legarto (NZ) (Proisir).
The latter’s Group 1 performance in Melbourne has buoyed James’ confidence that Prowess can also make her mark in Australia and early punters agree, the filly into $2.50 favouritism after opening at $2.80 on Wednesday.
“There are two or three good three-year-olds at home and it has helped to give us a line on her,” James said.
“We’re hopeful she can measure up on Saturday.”
With James Mcdonald suspended, Mark Zahra takes the ride on Prowess who has drawn ideally in barrier four.
She will have 13 rivals, led by VRC Oaks runner-up Pavitra (American Pharoah) who was a brilliant last-start winner of the Kembla Grange Classic (1600m).
Prowess will be having her fifth run of the campaign at Rosehill after taking out the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2050m) earlier this month and James says she has continued to thrive.
“You don’t go into a Group One thinking it’s going to bring you on, you go into a Group One ready,” James said.
“So she was ready for that but she’s ready again.”
Prowess arrived in Sydney on Sunday and settled in without issue, however James confirmed the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) was likely to be her only start.
She holds an entry for the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) but at this stage, hers is a hit-and-run-mission with James and Wellwood happy to be patient, believing she will be better again next preparation.
