News

Well Written remains unbeaten with spectacular performance in NZ

24th Jan 2026

Unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) produced one of the most explosive performances seen on a New Zealand racetrack in years when winning today’s $1.5m Karaka Million 3YO at Ellerslie.

The New Zealand star recorded a six-length victory in the feature off the back of a dynamic turn of foot that left her rivals seemingly in another race.

Well Written has now won all five of her career starts by a combined 20 lengths.

Bred by Dave Digney and trained by Stephen Marsh, Well Written is a $32,500 Great Southern Weanling Sale purchase for Benji King’s Foxhill Thoroughbreds, from the Lemrac Lodge draft.

The Yulong-raced Well Written (pictured) will next contest the $4m NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie on March 7 before a likely trip to Sydney for The Championships.

Benji King was unable to attend the 2023 Great Southern Sale so had his brother Harry – who works for Yulong – inspect the filly for him at Oaklands.

“Harry was adamant she was going to develop and grow into a nice filly and wow, look at her now,’’ Benji said.

“We saw there was a great deal of improvement and that maybe we could give that to her.

“You’ve got to back yourself in these moments and that was something that’s really paid off. I can’t believe what’s just happened, it’s a great thrill for both of us.’’

Harry King vividly recalled the day he first laid eyes on Well Written at Oaklands.

“In terms of physicality we felt there was a lot of development to come, she was a filly with a great frame, good hocks and one that looked very light on her feet,’’ he said.

“We’re a bit of a pedigree and breeding buff family and gee she ticked all the boxes on the page and physically she was there. How good’s this!’’

Winning trainer Marsh added: “What have we just seen? We’ve seen something pretty special. I’m absolutely over the moon.

“She’s awesome, she’s been unbelievable and has just kept on improving. It’s very exciting.

“This is why we all do it. This helps us out of bed and I love seeing the owners so excited.

“She’s got a following and she hasn’t let them down yet.’’

Meanwhile trainers Ken and Kasey Keys could bring their untapped 2YO colt Alibaba (Alabama Express) to Randwick for the $2m Inglis Millennium in a fortnight following his impressive victory in today’s Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Caulfield.

Alibaba was having just his second career start today, having finished an unlucky 3^rd in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes in November.

He should arguably be unbeaten and would prove a force to be reckoned with should the Keys’ travel him to Sydney to target the rich Millennium, to be run at Randwick on February 7.

“We’ve always known he’s had a motor, it’s just been a matter of time as to when he was going to put it all together,’’ Kasey Keys said.

“[Jockey] Craig [Newitt] trialled him Monday and could feel the gears he had under him so he was full of confidence as well.

“We’ll wait and see how he pulls up, obviously with 2YOs you can’t make too many plans, it’s one race at a time, but ideally also there’s the option of heading up to Sydney for the Millennium in a fortnight so we’ll just keep our options open and let him tell us.’’

The Keys’ bought Alibaba for $115,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Yulong.

And prolific winner Regal Zeus (Zoustar) scored an 11^th career victory - and fourth at black type level - when winning the Listed John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield.

The John McArdle-trained 4YO is in career best form, having won the Listed Kilmore Cup, Listed Lord Stakes and today’s event at three of his past four runs.

McArdle teamed up with Mark Burckhardt’s Regal Bloodstock and Leonard Russo to purchase Regal Zeus for $150,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale.

Today’s victory saw his earnings crash through the $1m barrier at $1,070,275.

At Randwick it was an Inglis graduates’ trifecta in the Listed Carrington Stakes when Sandpaper (Snitzel) beat Thunderlips and Matcha Latte.

Sandpaper was one of the best backed runners all day Australia-wide, with as much as $19 offered upon final field Wednesday before starting a $2.90 favourite with Ladbrokes.

Trained by Bjorn Baker, Sandpaper is a $130,000 Inglis Digital purchase for Darby Racing and the 6YO has now won $943,875 in prizemoney.

Sandpaper was offered as part of a Godolphin draft on Inglis Digital in September 2024 and joins the likes of Alegron and Barber as subsequent Stakes winners after being purchased on Inglis Digital off Godolphin.