Classy three-year-old filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) will not back-up in the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next weekend, for which she is $4.20 second favourite behind Legarto ($1.65).
The daughter of Proisir was beaten less than a half-length into third in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) won by Pier (NZ) (Proisir) but trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have elected to give the scopey filly a break.
“She is coming home,” James said.
“I think she has come a long way. She is a big filly and there is no doubt she will keep improving as the season goes on.”
James was pleased with the performance and like many rued the lack of tempo in the race.
Prowess was the fastest to clear the gates and enjoyed a good trail behind the leader under Ryan Elliot and continued to work through the line strongly, with only Pier and Desert Lightning narrowly getting the better of her.
“I was always a little bit concerned about the inside barrier. I think she is better out in the open where she can build on a tempo,” James said.
“But we can’t be displeased. She has been beaten half a length at her fourth start in a Group One race.
“Ryan felt that further is going to be her biggest friend in time. He thought she was a middle-distance filly in the making and I have thought that all the way along. She is built like it and does everything like a horse that wants to relax and get a trip.
“I think we have come a fair way in the spring, and it is time to back off and look towards the autumn.
“I will look at her in a fortnight and make a decision where we head with her but the beauty of it with a three-year-old that has got a little bit of class is the season keeps going in Australasia until June really, so there is no panic to get into them if they are not fully mature.”
Winner of her only start at two, Prowess returned a winner fresh-up this campaign and was a good third behind Legarto and Romancing The Moon in the Gr.3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) prior to her Guineas placing.
Prowess was one of two fillies to take on the boys in the 2000 Guineas, with the Lisa Latta-trained Group Three winner Diss Is Dramatic disappointing when 12th, beaten eight lengths.
The Awapuni trainer said a decision would be made as to whether her charge pushes on to the 1000 Guineas early this week. A post-race veterinary inspection found the filly to have a slow recovery with a persistently high heart rate.
