Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Nerves are a rare feeling for Stephen Marsh on raceday, but he was certainly feeling them at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
The Cambridge horseman was lining up his unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.2 Jimmy Schick Shaw’s Auckland Guineas (1400m), and he knew the well-supported filly would be vulnerable fresh-up.
The daughter of Written Tycoon has made waves since winning on debut at Ellerslie in September, going on to win the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) in eye-catching fashion, attracting the attention of plenty of prospective buyers in the process.
Yulong Investments subsequently purchased into the filly and she carried their green silks to victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last month. That performance attracted the attention of NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot holders and a deal was brokered with Entain New Zealand to represent their TAB slot in the $4 million feature.
With his filly being the talk of New Zealand racing, Marsh had the weight of expectation on his shoulders heading into Friday’s feature, with punters backing Well Written into $1.30 favouritism, and she didn’t do anything to allay his nerves when she was fractious behind the barriers.
However, she loaded away and jumped away well under Matthew Cartwright, who settled his charge in the one-one behind Affirmative Action, while jockey Opie Bosson made a beeline for the front and set the pace throughout.
He Who Dares looked full of running at the turn, kicking clear of his rivals, and he was maintaining that advantage. However, with 200m to go, Cartwright pushed the go button on his filly and she started to take chase, firstly reeling in Affirmative Action before grabbing He Who Dares on the line to win buy a short neck.
Marsh was understandably a relieved man post-race.
“I haven’t felt like that before a race for a long time,” he said.
“I have been feeling sick all week about it. We haven’t got her tuned up. I knew today she would be vulnerable. We certainly didn’t want to be coming here and getting beaten.
“I am just proud of her and I thought Matt did a great job. I said to him to nurse her until the last little bit, don’t go for her too early, and he did exactly that.
“It was a little bit hairy for a bit, but she knows where the line is. I knew with her condition she would probably come to the end of it in that last little bit, hence why I said to Matt to ride her with patience, don’t go early, and he gave her another 10 out of 10 ride.
“I think she is one out of the box, she is brilliant. I felt a bit of pressure today, but I am certainly relieved now, and it makes it all worthwhile.”
Marsh said it was also an honour to take out a race named after Windsor Park Stud principals Rodney and Gina Schick’s late son.
“It is special winning that race, the Jimmy Schick. I know Rod and Gina will be watching at home. It is a very hard time for the family,” Marsh said.
“It is pretty special for us. We are all very close in Cambridge and to win that race is great.”
Cartwright was also rapt with Well Written’s performance and he is now looking forward to tackling some rich targets aboard her, with the filly heading the TAB’s futures market for both the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and NZB Kiwi, at $1.40 and $1.90 respectively.
“Coming to the last 100m I expected her to kick a little bit better but today is not her grand final,” he said. “She is a little bit underdone but still got the job done.
“She is such an exciting filly and she has put her head out when it counts. It is just a privilege to ride her.”
