Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career.
The racing and breeding powerhouse made their move following the Written Tycoon filly’s explosive display to distance her rivals in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) off the back of her runaway maiden success.
“All the original owners have stayed in, it’s been an easy transition and if she is as good as what we think, she will campaign in Australia as a four-year-old,” said Marsh, whose stable bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson brokered the deal with Yulong.
“It’s great not only for our stable, but for New Zealand racing and to see Yulong substantially investing in our industry which has come a long way in recent times.”
Well Written is currently a $2.60 favourite to maintain her unbeaten record in next month’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
“She breezed through her last run and she galloped beautifully with Matt Cartwright in the saddle on Tuesday morning.
“The 1000 Guineas and The NZB Kiwi have massive appeal to Yulong, it’s very exciting to have them in the stable.”
Marsh will also be represented in the fillies’ feature at Riccarton by Little Black Dress, who is at $16 off the back of placings in the Soliloquy and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m).
“She’s improved with each run and the big mile at Riccarton should suit her,” he said.
Marsh also has a pair of three-year-olds prominent in the market for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and could yet double his hand in the Classic.
He has $8 chance Magic Carpet and $14 hope Swiss Prince set to head south for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored feature.
They will round off their preparations in Saturday’s Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Tauranga with the filly To Cap It All to also run in the rescheduled age group event.
“She is more likely to head to the 2000 Guineas, providing she runs very well at the weekend, as it would be a one-week back-up for her into the 1000 Guineas,” Marsh said.
“She could still do that, it’s not as hard as it used to when we had to float them down so we’re not ruling it out.”
The daughter of Capitalist won the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) last season and placed in both the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
She will be fourth-up at Tauranga off the back of a fourth placing at Rotorua.
Magic Carpet broke his maiden in fine style at his last outing when he landed the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) while Swiss Prince won a competitive maiden at Ellerslie last time out.
He had placed in his three previous outings, including a third in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
“All going well, they will head down to Christchurch and Magic Carpet, To Cap It All and Swiss Prince all galloped on Wednesday morning,” Marsh said.
“They all went beautifully, and I can’t fault any of them.”
The highly regarded Moretothinkabout could also earn his spot in the 2000 Guineas team if he performs to his best next time out at Ellerslie.
“He’s a nice colt and we really like him. He will run on Melbourne Cup Day in a maiden mile and if could win really well, then he will go down as well,” Marsh said.
The son of So You Think finished runner-up in his only juvenile appearance and has been out of the frame in two runs this preparation but was less than three lengths off Swiss Prince at Ellerslie and the step up to a mile is expected to be more to his liking. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
