In a quiet trial at Te Rapa on Tuesday, dual top-flight winner Prowess displayed her potential for another triumphant trip across the Tasman.
Under the reins of jockey Warren Kennedy, the multiple elite-level victor navigated the heavy ground to secure a narrow victory in her 900m heat.
Trained by Robert Wellwood, in collaboration with Roger James, Prowess left her mark on the trial as she impressed the team.
“We were very happy with her trial as the ground was a bit wet and not to her liking,” Wellwood told LoveRacing.nz.
“Warren came back and he was very pleased, so she did everything we wanted.”
With her performance indicating readiness, Prowess’ spring campaign is falling into place.
“We’ve still got plenty of time up our sleeve and it was a nice stretch of the legs for her, and she pulled up well. We’re right on target,” assured Wellwood.
While the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 2 is tentatively scheduled as the kick-off race, the team remains open to possibilities.
“She probably won’t trial again and may have a race day gallop somewhere at some point. We’ll just see how she comes through this before firming anything up,” Wellwood said.
“It will all depend on how she is racing and doing, we don’t have to be too stuck on any plan at the moment.”
Prowess has won seven of her nine starts, remaining unbeaten this year, including a victory in the Gr 1 New Zealand Stakes (2050m) against older opposition and in the Gr 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.