Unbeaten Yulong-owned filly Well Written has resumed training, and while her precise summer campaign remains to be finalised, her New Year programme is taking shape.
The sole certainty is that her principal target is the NZB Kiwi (1500m), with speculation intensifying regarding which slot the Stephen Marsh-trained filly will occupy when the field for New Zealand’s richest race assembles at Ellerslie on March 7.
“She’s been back in the stable five days and looks great after having an easy time since the 1000 Guineas,” Marsh said on Monday. “The Kiwi is obvious, that’s the race she’ll be targeting, and this week there’ll be a lot going on as we work through the various slots and other matters.”
Well Written’s ownership syndicate now features Yulong Investments, which acquired a 50 percent share in the Written Tycoon daughter before her third consecutive victory in the Group 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). This purchase represented Yulong’s most substantial investment in New Zealand racing to date.
Marsh has suggested that a start in the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) is appearing increasingly unlikely, with preference for either the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) or the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on the same Ellerslie raceday, January 24.
Well Written stands as the clear early favourite at $2.20 for the Karaka Millions 3YO and $2.50 for the NZB Kiwi, while she shares Railway favouritism at $4 alongside Alabama Lass. She also tops the market at $8 for the Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), though that race has been virtually eliminated due to its extreme distance.
“We’re tossing up whether we should run her fresh-up in the Railway or opt for her own age-group in the Almanzor Trophy,” Marsh said. “The other option is to start her off earlier with a view to running in the Karaka Millions. Dropping back from 1600 to 1500m shouldn’t be an issue, but as you can understand there’s a fair bit to weigh up.”
Marsh’s next feature three-year-old runner is To Cap It All in Saturday’s Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe, seeking redemption after finishing last on a heavy track in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
Stablemate Swiss Prince, who finished second in the Group 2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) before an unplaced effort in the 2000 Guineas, has also resumed training and is targeting the Group 2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.