Well Written set for Australian spring racing campaign

New Zealand’s emerging star Well Written is being aimed at a lucrative Australian spring campaign, with the Group 1 Epsom Handicap and $10 million Golden Eagle on the agenda.

Trainer Stephen Marsh has confirmed Well Written will resume in next Saturday’s Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie, where the mare is currently favourite.

Producer Louie Clifton revealed the plans on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up with Gareth Hall after receiving an update from Marsh, with connections reporting Well Written is “absolutely flying” ahead of her return.

A victory in the Proisir Plate would pave the way for a trip across the Tasman, with the Epsom Handicap at Randwick her first major Australian target before progressing to the Golden Eagle.

Well Written’s potential arrival adds further intrigue to the Epsom, particularly with several of Australia’s headline horses unlikely to contest the race.

Gareth Hall asked form analyst David Gately whether Well Written’s current price represented value given the potential absence of Autumn Boy.

“Yeah, especially if Autumn Boy isn’t there, but they’re very hard races to win,” Gately said.

Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi are also not expected to contest the Epsom, with the latter instead being prepared for the Golden Eagle.

Hall believes Well Written’s current $7.50 quote could disappear quickly should she perform as expected at Ellerslie.

“If everyone knew this news I don’t think she’d be $7.50 in the race, especially considering there will be no Sheza Alibi or Autumn Glow,” Hall said.

Bet365’s Ben Caluzzi was even more bullish about where the New Zealand mare could sit in the market by race day.

“She’ll start favourite,” Caluzzi said.

The Proisir Plate now shapes as an important test of Well Written’s Australian credentials, with a strong first-up performance likely to further strengthen her position in Epsom betting.

If everything goes to plan at Ellerslie, Well Written will head to Sydney with the opportunity to establish herself among the leading horses of the spring before progressing towards the Golden Eagle.