Unbeaten NZ Mare Well Written Ready for Epsom Handicap Debut at Randwick
- Unbeaten New Zealand mare Well Written arrives at Randwick to prepare for her debut in the $1.5 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap on October 3, 2026, though trainer...
- Well Written touched down in Sydney on October 2, 2026, settling into the former Leilani Lodge stables leased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
- Despite her picket-fence form, Marsh admitted surprise at the handicapper’s assessment.
Unbeaten New Zealand mare Well Written arrives at Randwick to prepare for her debut in the $1.5 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap on October 3, 2026, though trainer Stephen Marsh warns that heavy rain could severely hinder her chances. Carrying 55 kilograms and drawing barrier three, the four-year-old mare enters the 1600-meter feature as a $3.50 favourite following a dominant win in the Proisir Plate at Ellerslie.
Weighing In at Randwick
Well Written touched down in Sydney on October 2, 2026, settling into the former Leilani Lodge stables leased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The daughter of Written Tycoon boasts an unbeaten record that includes six wins from her three-year-old season, capped by a photo-finish victory over subsequent Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes champion Belle Cheval in the $4 million Kiwi.
Despite her picket-fence form, Marsh admitted surprise at the handicapper’s assessment. I’m certainly not one to complain or anything like that, but I didn’t quite probably expect 55,
Marsh said of the mare’s weight, noting she received just half a kilogram less than rival Autumn Boy.
Weather Concerns Threaten Debut
Marsh’s primary anxiety centers on Sydney’s weather forecast, which predicts a high chance of late showers and potential thunderstorms on October 3, 2026, leading into race day. Well Written has never raced on a heavy track, and her trainer remains cautious. Early on, she trialled up on a wet track and couldn’t really go on that; she ran about fourth or fifth,
Marsh explained. We call her a New Zealander, but she’s by Written Tycoon, so she’s sort of half New Zealand. But she doesn’t ultimately like wet tracks, so if a storm does come, I would be very concerned.
The race brings together an open field that includes 2024 winner Ceolwulf and a host of lightweight contenders. While Marsh acknowledged that New Zealand form has been a bit sketchy
in recent months, he takes confidence from Belle Cheval franking that form in the Vinery.
Golden Eagle Target Looms Large
Saturday’s Epsom Handicap serves as the first leg of an Australian spring campaign designed to culminate in the $10 million Golden Eagle over 1500 meters at Randwick on October 31, 2026. How Well Written performs across her two Randwick appearances will dictate whether Marsh brings her back across the Tasman for the autumn carnival.
Now a stronger and mentally mature four-year-old compared to her brilliant but frail three-year-old campaign, the mare represents the most exciting galloper Marsh has trained. She looks a stronger version of herself now than she was at three, and mentally she’s probably a lot better,
Marsh said. She used to get a little bit upset around the barriers and all that, but she just seems a lot more the complete article now.