If trainer Stephen Marsh thought his day couldn’t get any better after winning the first three races on the card at Ellerslie on Saturday, he had to revise those thoughts pretty quickly after the running of the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Sakes (1400m).
Successful with Miss Fladgate (Race 1), Swiss Prince (Race 2) and On The Town (Race 3), Marsh sent out consistent filly Little Black Dress and impressive debut winner Well Written in the feature for the three-year-old fillies and returned the quinella in spectacular style as Well Written showed her debut victory at the venue was just a sign of things to come.
The Written Tycoon filly had come from midfield to dash away from a handy maiden field over 1200m on debut, winning by three lengths in the hands of Matt Cartwright.
Cartwright was back aboard on Saturday and made full use of the coveted number one barrier draw. He got her away perfectly to trail her stablemate throughout as Little Black Dress was softened up by another winning debutant in Places To Be.
Left in front as Places to Be ran off on the home corner, Little Black Dress quickened nicely but soon had Well Written alongside briefly as Cartwright pushed the turbo button on his mount, who took off like a rocket at the 300m.
To the cheers of her large group of owners, Well Written bolted away to win easing down by nearly seven lengths over Little Black Dress, who held out the late run of the well-favoured Tajana to claim second, with Savvy Donna and Lollapalooza also figuring in the finish for third.
Marsh was quick to pay tribute to Bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson who convinced him to purchase the filly out of the Brighthill Farm draft during the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where they paid a sale-topping $80,000.
“That was bloody exciting as we thought we had two excellent fillies,” Marsh said. “It was just a shame Little Black Dress got softened up and taken on the whole way.
“Well Written got a great run and you could just see at the top of the straight it was going to be another good win like last time.
“I was hoping she had the X-factor. Holy hell, she could be pretty special.
“Dylan has got take a lot of credit as he shopped around the whole of the online book and took me to every place in New Zealand to look at them and he found her. Big ups to him and a big group of owners, including some new stable clients.”
Well Written holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 8, with Marsh confirming she would be heading to the race along with Little Black Dress.
“We will certainly be going down there with the way she has won today,” he said. “We won’t get too far ahead of ourselves as she has had a short prep with just the two runs. If she comes through well, we will give her a crack.
“She (Little Black Dress) will also be there as she is also a very good filly.”
Cartwright was struggling to put the performance into words when asked about the run.
“Jesus, we might have unravelled one here,” he said “She was a bit awkward away, but she enjoyed a lovely run and from the corner she was travelling way too good for them.
“She let rip and is very special, a very good horse.”
TAB Bookmakers didn’t waste any time by installing her as the $4 Fixed Odds favourite for the New Zealand 1000 Guineas ahead of Tajana and Lollapalooza, who share the second line of betting at $5 for the race.
Well Written is by Written Tycoon out of the Sebring mare Mozzie Monster, who placed in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) and Bendigo Guineas (1400m).
She has now earned over $117,000 from just two starts to date. - LOVERACING.NZ NZ News Desk
