Star mare Well Written pleased trainer Stephen Marsh with a strong performance to win her second trial this preparation over 1100m at Taupo on Sunday.
The returning four-year-old had been given a quiet outing when stepping out at Cambridge earlier this month and had a more strenuous trial under Matt Cartwright at Taupo.
“I thought it was really good,” Marsh said. “She had a nice quiet trial at Cambridge, which was perfect and just brought her along nicely.
“I said to Matt today from the wide draw to just tuck her in behind them. I thought he put her in a beautiful spot and I just wanted to see her come off the bridle and do a little bit today.
“He got her into the right part of the track and I thought it was really good. I was certainly all smiles afterwards. I got a little bit nervy and jittery beforehand, but it was really nice to see her back like that.”
Well Written stretched out strongly in the closing stages to score by two lengths from Twain and Wolfgang, with Marsh particularly pleased by the way she finished her work.
“For the rain they have had, the track was in decent order and she got first use of it, but get her back to Ellerslie and she is better again,” he said.
“I just loved the way she stretched out and ended up winning by two lengths. Cartwright was a row of teeth when he came in as well, so we’re very happy with her .”
Marsh has the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) penciled in for Well Written, with the Ellerslie feature on September 5.
“It gives her three weeks. Whether we take her to Ellerslie or take her somewhere else to have a little gallop, I think we are right on track,” he said. – NZ Racing Desk
