Prowess on way back

Mare makes miraculous recovery, set for spring return

Prowess, the brilliant winner of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes last year, is about to make a miraculous comeback to racing.

Trainer Roger James revealed Prowess has recovered from a serious bout of laminitis and will soon return to training.

It was thought Prowess had run her last race after she ran unplaced behind Atishu in the Champions Stakes at Flemington last spring.

James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood, said he feared for the mare’s life when she took ill late last year.

“We all felt her race career was over,” James said.

“She was close to lying down and once they go down they don’t get up.

“But what I would say is that the laminitis which she had is not as severe as we first thought.

“When we sent her to the vets for treatment she got off the float bouncing like she was getting ready for a Group 1 race. The vets said this must be the wrong horse.”

Prowess has made such a good recovery there are plans to have the four-year-old return to training in May.

The four-year-old mare has only had 12 starts for eight wins (and three placings) including two Group 1 successes for prizemoney of more than $1.5m.

She was the dominant filly of her generation in New Zealand last season winning four races in succession – Auckland Guineas, Karaka Classic, Ellerslie Fillies Classic and Bonecrusher Stakes.

Prowess demonstrated her talents at her only Sydney run last autumn when she raced away with the Vinery Stud Stakes, beating Pavitra and Fireburn by more than three lengths.

But then she was struck with laminitis last spring, a crippling hoof ailment that can be fatal and it seemed her race career had come to a premature end.

“I don’t believe we have seen the best of Prowess yet and we are hopeful she can make it back,” James said.

“She has done so well and we feel she is a bit of a chance now.”

James said he plans to get Prowess back into training in early May.

“We are going to bring her back in and see how she goes,” James said.

“If all goes well, it gives us plenty of time to get her ready for the spring carnival.

“If there is any doubt then she will be retired but we are cautiously optimistic she can make a comeback to racing.”