No-one amongst rival connections was prepared to say it out loud, but it was quite obvious their challenge became even more daunting when unbeaten filly Well Written drew perfectly at three for Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).
The Stephen Marsh-trained filly has become the increasingly hot favourite for Saturday’s $1.5 million race while sweeping all before her, culminating in another easy win in the Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November to bring her odds into $1.50.
She also jumped from gate three in that race and when she returned from a let-up for a fourth straight win in the Gr. 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day, the scene was set for her biggest assignment.
Bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson, who motivated Marsh to purchase the Written Tycoon filly on the Gavelhouse online platform for $80,000, gained further kudos when he drew three at Wednesday morning’s barrier draw in the Karaka sales complex auditorium.
“I said to Dylan that I wanted somewhere between one and five, and he pulled out three,” Marsh said. “A filly like her, she jumps and puts herself there, so yes, we’re happy.
“Everything has gone to plan, I was very happy with how she worked at Ellerslie yesterday, and now we just have to tick her over until Saturday.”
Well Written, on whom early bets with the TAB included $500 at $5, did not budge from her $1.50 pre-draw odds, nor did $5 second favourite La Dorada when she came up with gate five.
They remained the only runners in single digits, with third favourite Affirmative Action easing from $10 to $13 after drawing gate 10.
That failed to deter trainer Pam Gerard, who holds the highest numerical factor with Romanoff ($27), who narrowly downed Affirmative Action in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, and lightly raced MAAT winner Now Not Never ($71) also in the Karaka Millions 3YO field.
“That draw doesn’t worry me with Affirmative Action as he’s a far better horse coming off the pace,” Gerard said.
“I’ve been watching him and Romanoff making all the right progress lately and they’ll go to Ellerslie on very good shape.
“Now Not Never has had just the two starts and he won the second of them. He’s well and I’m happy to give him his chance.
“She’s very special,” Gerard said in reference to Well Written, “but we’ll give it a good go.
The draw also played out well for leading candidates in the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), with $4 pre-draw favourite Kinnaird staying firm after being allocated gate two and Victorian filly Torture likewise on $5 from gate five.
In an even market, De Armas, who attracted a wide range of significant bets on the early market, remained steady at $5 despite drawing 10, while Dream Roca, one of two runners along with Vanzadee ($18) for dual Karaka Millions 2YO winner Liam Birchley, is well in the market at $5.50. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
