The New Zealand racing public have been waiting on tenterhooks to see whether the clash they are hoping for, the filly Prowess versus the gelding Sharp ‘N’
Smart (Redwood), is going to happen.
It all depends on Prowess taking her place in the Grade 1 New Zealand Derby on March 4.
Warren Kennedy has won two Grade 2s on Prowess (Proisir) and said this morning to Turf Talk, “So far she is going for the Derby, but it is not set in stone yet.”
Asked how she compared to the best he had ridden here he replied, “She is very good, almost as good as Summer Pudding.”
He said about the importance of the New Zealand Derby, “It is one of the most prestigious races here but not the biggest stakes wise.”
Prowess is trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood.
Her sire Proisir is by Choisir, while her dam Donna Marie is by Don Eduardo, who is by New Zealand legend Zabeel, who is in turn by another New Zealand legend in Sir Tristram.
