Unbeaten filly Well Written Karaka Million 3YO added another emphatic chapter to her rise at Ellerslie, delivering a performance of rare authority to land the $1.5 million feature in breathtaking fashion. The Written Tycoon filly swept clear with a devastating turn of foot, stretching six lengths clear and leaving the impression that her rivals were racing for minor honours only.
Those who have followed her short but flawless career sensed something special was unfolding, yet even the most optimistic could scarcely have predicted the ease of the victory. Well Written has now won all five of her starts, amassing a combined winning margin of 20 lengths, and each outing has reinforced the sense that she is a filly operating on a different plane.
The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old settled comfortably before unleashing her trademark acceleration rounding the turn, quickly putting the contest to bed. By the time the field straightened, the result was beyond doubt, the Ellerslie crowd left to marvel at the power and poise of a filly still clearly on the rise.
Bred by Dave Digney, Well Written was secured for $32,500 from the Great Southern Weanling Sale by Benji King’s Foxhill Thoroughbreds, purchased from the Lemrac Lodge draft. Racing in the familiar Yulong colours, she now looms as a central figure in the remainder of the season, with the $4 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie on March 7 firmly in her sights, followed by a likely Sydney campaign during The Championships.
King was quick to credit his brother Harry for identifying the filly’s raw potential when inspecting her as a weanling at Oaklands.
“Harry was adamant she was going to develop and grow into a nice filly and wow, look at her now,” King said. “We could see there was improvement to come and felt we could help her get there. You’ve got to back yourself in these moments, and it’s certainly paid off.”
Harry King recalled the early signs that convinced him she was worth the investment.
“She had a great frame, strong hocks and was very light on her feet,” he said. “From a pedigree point of view she ticked all the boxes, and physically she was always there. Seeing her do this now is incredibly satisfying.”
Trainer Marsh struggled to contain his excitement after witnessing the display.
“What have we just seen? Something pretty special,” he said. “She’s been unbelievable, improving every time she steps out. This is why we all do it — seeing owners and connections enjoying moments like this makes it all worthwhile.”
Well Written Karaka Million 3YO sets new benchmark
Elsewhere, promising juvenile Alibaba continued his upward trajectory with an impressive victory in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Caulfield. Trained by Ken and Kasey Keys, the Alabama Express colt was only making his second race appearance, having endured misfortune when finishing third in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at his debut.
Alibaba travelled strongly throughout and showed a sharp change of pace to assert himself late, prompting connections to consider a trip north for the Inglis Millennium at Randwick on February 7.
“We’ve always known he’s had a motor,” Kasey Keys said. “Craig Newitt could feel the gears he had in a recent workout, which gave us plenty of confidence. With young horses you take it one step at a time, so we’ll see how he pulls up and let him guide us.”
The colt was purchased for $115,000 from the Classic Yearling Sale, offered by his breeder, and appears to be repaying that faith with interest.
At the same Caulfield meeting, the ultra-consistent Regal Zeus added further lustre to his record, claiming the Listed John Dillon Stakes to register the 11th win of his career and his fourth success at black-type level. Prepared by John McArdle, the Zoustar four-year-old has struck peak form this preparation, adding to recent victories in the Kilmore Cup and Lord Stakes.
Purchased for $150,000 from the Easter Yearling Sale, Regal Zeus pushed his career earnings beyond the $1 million mark with another determined performance that underlined his durability and class.
Sydney racing also delivered a notable result, with Sandpaper leading home an Inglis graduates’ trifecta in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the Snitzel gelding produced a strong finishing effort to defeat Thunderlips and Matcha Latte, continuing a productive campaign for his connections.
A $130,000 purchase from the Inglis Digital platform, Sandpaper has now accumulated just shy of $1 million in prizemoney and joins a growing list of stakes performers to emerge from that source, further highlighting its impact on the modern racing landscape.
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