A Willie Pike special resulted in the Chris Waller-trained Written Beauty breaking a 66-week drought in Saturday’s Listed Magic Millions Bright Shadow Stakes at Eagle Farm.
The 4yo daughter of Written Tycoon defeated Tahitian Dancer (Dawn Approach) by three-quarters of a length with a long neck back to Letzbeglam (Snitzel) in third.
With her second stakes success, Written Beauty advances her record to six wins and a second from 13 starts with earnings of $417,975.
“We thought if she didn’t win today, she was in trouble. She’s been a work-in-progress,” Waller said
“We’ve got some great track riders around the country. With this horse in particular, they have worked very hard getting her to switch off and settle.
“She’s gradually worked it out. That might give her a bit of confidence. She was one of those horses that lost her way and that will give her a bit of confidence.
“Thanks to my team. They do a great job and a great ride by Willie Pike. He didn’t panic, gradually went through his gears and it was a classic Willie Pike ride.”
After breaking her maiden at her second start for Bryan and Daniel Guy, Written Beauty transferred to Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, winning four on the trot at three.
After breaking Nature Strip's 1000m track record at Moonee Valley, the Orbis Bloodstock colour-bearer opened her stakes account in the $200,000 Group III Red Roses Stakes (1100m) on Victoria Oaks Day 2020. Pike was on her that day.
She was switched to Chris Waller late last year and was winning for the first time in three starts for the champion trainer.
Written Beauty is one of five stakes-winners for her dam Beauty World after Group III winners Lite In My Veins (Henrythenavigator) and Hi World (High Chaparral) and the Listed winners Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) and Rivercrest Parks Ducimus (Snitzel).
Also, the dam of the Group 1 placed American Crew (Stratum) and stakes-placed Where's Wally (Rogano), Beauty World was purchased by Belmont Bloodstock on behalf of Oaklands Stud for $50,000 at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale. She was then sold to Orbis Bloodstock in a private transaction when carrying Written Beauty.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer has an unraced 2yo filly by I Am Invincible named Ravisher. Beauty Word has a weanling colt by Deep Field but missed to North Pacific last spring.
