Trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping glamour mare Well Written can emulate Autumn Glow and defend her unbeaten record in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick.
Last year’s Epsom saw Autumn Glow take her record to seven from seven when taking out her first Group 1 victory but Marsh hopes to get one over Australia’s best racehorse and make it a perfect eight this weekend.
“When Autumn Glow was doing that our girl had just burst on the scene and was starting to get a bit of hype, so it’s a full circle moment getting to this race also with an unbeaten record,” Marsh said.
Despite spacing her rivals in just about every start leading into this preparation, Marsh believes his stable star has gone up a level from her three-year-old season after her first-up victory in the Group 1 Proisir Plate.
“I was a bit anxious first-up because naturally she’s not fully ready and the horse (Alabama Lass) we had to run down was fit, very good and proven in Australia,” Marsh said.
“But she was able to put them away over the last little bit, all of her work since has been great and she had no issues travelling over earlier this week.
“She’s pretty cherry ripe and she looks outstanding, which is the major difference with her this time around.
“Previously she would never catch your eye in the yard but as an older mare, she’s really started to strengthen right up.”
The Cambridge-based conditioner believes the two most impressive wins of Well Written’s career came over a mile, so he can’t wait for her to step out over it on Saturday.
“The mile is right up her alley,” Marsh said.
“She won the Karaka Millions by six lengths the last time she raced at the trip and the only other time she spaced them in the 1000 Guineas.
“So at this stage it’s probably her best trip given her two best runs came over it.”
Jockey Matthew Cartwright has been the man in the saddle for each of her seven starts but has been replaced by star hoop Zac Lloyd for her Australian debut.
Marsh said Cartwright handled the decision with class and has featured heavily in her preparation across the ditch.
“Obviously it was a tough pill for him to swallow but he’s handled it as good as anyone could,” Marsh said.
“He galloped her on Monday morning and was rapt with how she’s going so I’m sure he will be cheering her on back home.”
From barrier three with Lloyd on, Marsh is aware there’s plenty of speed in the race but believes the daughter of Well Tycoon will be in the first half of the field.
“She’s got natural gate speed so she won’t be far off them,” Marsh said.
“Hopefully she can land in the perfect spot from that good gate and have all the room to work with in the straight to show off her turn of foot.”
Bookmakers think Well Written will make it a perfect eight, currently the $3.80 favourite in Saturday’s main event ahead of dual Group 1 winner Autumn Boy at $4.
Interestingly, Saturday will be the first time since her debut run where she doesn’t go around at a quote of $2 or shorter.
