All eyes were on the wonderful unbeaten four-year-old mare Well Written (Written Tycoon) heading into the Gr.1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie. She hadn’t raced since winning the NZ$4 million R.Listed The Kiwi last season, but she didn’t disappoint under a strong ride from Matt Cartwright who had her perfectly situated during the run.
Stablemate Media World (Written Tycoon) set the pace in front with Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) close behind. For a brief moment it looked like Alabama Express would ruin the party, but also might give an emotional send off to co-trainer Bev Kelso who died last week. It was not to be, as Well Written put on the afterburners and cruised past for a 1.8 length victory over Alabama Lass with Media World sticking on for third.
“I hide my nerves well, but … for these horses to take on these older horses (is a big ask). Alabama Lass kicked and I thought I was going to be (finishing) second. Alabama Lass, a great mare – she doesn’t go down without a fight. The amount of things that go through your mind, but when she really let down, it was awesome to see,” Marsh said.
“I was proud of our other colts there, they’ve run first, third (Media World) and fouth (Tardelli), they’ve all gone so creditable. She was amazing, she’s ended up winning well.
“Full credit to a really good team. I’m just so happy – just a good support team of staff, owners and well wishers – it’s why we do this. She looks very special, doesn’t she?
“Seven-from-seven, she’s now come up against the best weight-for-age horses we’ve got, and she’s won well. Every year, it’s never easy for four-year-old mares to take on these horses and she’s done it. So, she’s special, she’s first-up, and she’s got a couple of big assignments ahead of her and I hope we’re right on track.”
Those assignments are in Australia, so fans will get to see how she measures up across the ditch very soon.
“We have a month until the Epsom, so we will leave her here until pretty late and go over there near the race date, then onto the Golden Eagle. We will get her home first though and make sure she is 100 percent.”
The win was the second at the elite level for Well Written following last term’s Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas, and her seven-from-seven record includes earnings over NZ$2.8 million. She is one of 18 Group 1 winners for Written Tycoon, who has 82 stakes winners in total.
Written for TTRAusNZ
