It Is Written failed in his lead-up to the Australia Stakes, but trainer Robbie Griffiths is convinced that is no guide to the gelding’s chances at Moonee Valley.
Saturday’s Group Two Australia Stakes (1200m) has been a target for It Is Written who finished second to Mourinho in the weight-for-age race at his favourite track a year ago.
“This is the race we’ve targeted again for him this year, so hopefully we can go one spot better,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths started It Is Written’s campaign in the Group Three Standish Handicap at Flemington on January 1 and despite the seven-year-old finishing at the tail of the field, the trainer believes the gelding is on track for his next assignment.
It is Written has won seven times at Moonee Valley from 22 starts with another six placings.
“I think he’s going as good as he was last year. It’s just a bit hard to tell because he’s no good at Flemington and his lead-up race was there,” Griffiths said.
“Last year his lead-up race was six weeks earlier when he won in the middle of December at Moonee Valley.
“There were no Valley races for him leading into this and he’s a different horse at the Valley compared to Flemington.
“So on paper it looks as though he’s not going as good, but I think he is and we just haven’t been able to prove it yet.”
Because of It Is Written’s affinity with Moonee Valley, Griffiths said he likes to target races there as often as he can.
“We’re going into this race and then we’ll look at all the Valley sprints through the autumn,” the trainer said.
That includes the Listed Abell Stakes which It Is Written has won the past two years while the William Reid Stakes is another race on the radar.
It Is Written finished fourth to Lucky Hussler in the Group One William Reid last year.
The Australia Stakes has attracted a strong list of 19 nominations headed by four Group One winners in Mourinho, Rebel Dane, Trust In A Gust and Hucklebuck.
Along with 2015 winner Mourinho, the 2014 Australia Stakes winner Richie’s Vibe has also been nominated.
