A finish of the narrowest margins crowned Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, where the outstanding filly Well Written held off a surging Belle Cheval in the final strides to land the $4 million NZB Kiwi and maintain her flawless record.
The daughter of Written Tycoon had dominated her three-year-old season with ease, but this time the result hung in the balance until the final stride. Under jockey Matt Cartwright, Well Written looked set for another comfortable success when she swept to the lead early in the straight. Yet she began to wander under pressure, opening the door for a surging challenge from Belle Cheval.
The pair flashed past the post locked together, with the photo finish revealing a short-head margin in favour of the favourite, completing a perfect six-from-six campaign and extending her remarkable season.
Trainer Stephen Marsh admitted the tense finish had him guessing.
“I wasn’t sure if we’d won,” Marsh said. “The other horse was coming so fast. When the commentator said she’d done it, I was hoping he meant us.”
Purchased for $80,000 at the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale, Well Written has now earned more than $2.6 million in stakes, along with a further $600,000 from the NZB Kiwi Bonus Pool. Her season has already featured dominant victories in the Soliloquy Stakes and the New Zealand 1000 Guineas, along with the rich Karaka Millions 3YO.
Cartwright felt the filly was not quite at her brilliant best.
“Everything worked out perfectly in the running,” he said. “She travelled so well I had to let her go when I did. With the weight and being in front for a long way she just wandered a little, but she’s a very good horse.”
NZB Kiwi Results Share Spotlight with Legarto’s Farewell Triumph
While the NZB Kiwi results grabbed headlines, Champions Day also delivered a memorable farewell performance from star mare Legarto in the $1 million Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
Ridden by champion jockey Opie Bosson, Legarto produced a sweeping late charge down the outside to edge out Waitak by a long head, completing a quinella for stallion Proisir.
The victory marked Legarto’s fifth Group One success and the 12th win of her distinguished career, taking her earnings beyond $3.16 million. Trainer Ken Kelso described the moment as emotional.
“She’s a once-in-a-lifetime mare,” Kelso said. “People might have forgotten just how good she is, but she showed it again today.”
Moxie Delivers Dream Result for Owner-Trainer
Another highlight came in the $600,000 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m), where Moxie produced a brilliant late burst to defeat Chica Mojito and Quintessa.
Trained and owned by Ken Harrison, the mare was bought for just $10,000 as a yearling and has now earned nearly $500,000. Harrison admitted the moment was difficult to take in.
“It’s pretty unreal really,” he said. “Dropping her back to 1400 metres worked out perfectly.”
Sweynesday Points Toward International Targets
Sprinter Sweynesday strengthened his growing reputation with victory in the Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m).
Prepared by training partners Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the talented gelding defeated Australian visitor Cote Atlantique by three-quarters of a length under jockey Masa Hashizume.
Connections are now contemplating a potential trip to Australia later in the season, with the prestigious Stradbroke Handicap emerging as a possible target.
Elle Sourit Maintains Perfect Record
Unbeaten mare Elle Sourit announced herself as another rising talent when she captured the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m). Trained by Andrew Forsman and ridden patiently by apprentice Sam McNab, the mare stormed down the outside to score by three-quarters of a length, extending her record to four wins from four starts.
Forsman believes the best is still ahead. “She’s a genuinely good horse,” he said. “I think she’ll only improve as she gets out to longer distances.” Champions Day at Ellerslie once again delivered elite performances, but it was the thrilling NZB Kiwi results and Well Written’s narrow victory that provided the most memorable moment of the afternoon.
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