In the space of just three starts, Well Written (Written Tycoon) has gone from promising prospect to New Zealand’s newest racing sensation, producing a breathtaking performance to capture the NZ$600,000 Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on Saturday.
Sent out a long odds-on favourite, the Stephen Marsh-trained filly justified every expectation, delivering a display of sheer class that had the Riccarton crowd in full voice. Given the perfect trail one-out and one-back by Matt Cartwright, she travelled sweetly throughout before exploding away shortly after turning for home, putting the race beyond doubt in a matter of strides.
Cartwright stood high in the irons as Well Written crossed the line, celebrating the win in style as the filly bolted in by two and a half lengths in front of Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca), with another one and a half lengths back to Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) in third. It was just her third raceday start, and it may have unveiled the next star of New Zealand racing.
“There is a lot of relief after that, I was nervous – the expectations were there,” Marsh said.
“I said to Matt, ride her like she is the best horse. Don’t panic, just think of it as another race. Just put her there, put her to sleep and don’t go too early. I was glad he didn’t peel off at the top of the straight – he just sat in that slipstream and came off late. It was something else to watch, to be honest. It was pretty special.
“It’s great for the Yulong team and our owners. That is very satisfying, and that’s the first 1000 Guineas we have won – she is a special filly. She has that little bit of freakish about her. It is exciting to have them – they make the job a lot easier. She paraded great and it is a real thrill to win a race like that.”
Cartwright was equally taken with the filly’s brilliance.
“She is a very, very good horse and everything worked out perfect,” he said.
“The only thing I didn’t like was when she was a bit hot behind the gates, rearing up and a bit fractious. Once those gates opened, the job was on, she landed and she travelled lovely. I had to count to 10 – I probably only got to six but gee, she is a good filly.
“She is very exciting, probably one of the better ones I’ve sat on. Once she matures, she is going to be top class. I don’t know where her ceiling is, to be honest – she’s improving to be one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden.”
The win marked a first 1000 Guineas triumph for Marsh, who has long been regarded as one of New Zealand’s most astute conditioners, and it confirmed Well Written as a filly of rare ability.
Well Written was originally purchased by Foxhill Thoroughbreds as a weanling for $32,500 from the Lemrac Lodge draft at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale, she was then the NZ$80,000 sale-topper for Brighthill Farm at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale, purchased by Stephen Marsh Racing in partnership with Dylan Johnson Bloodstock.
Following her first two dominant performances – including her emphatic Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes triumph – Yulong moved to acquire a 50 percent share in the talented filly.
By champion sire Written Tycoon, Well Written is out of Stakes placed mare Mozzie Monster (Sebring) and the only named foal from the mare. She is the best performed of four foals to race for Group 3 winning mare Valentine Miss (Danetime {IRE}).
Written for TTRAusNZ
