WELL WRITTEN MAINTAINS UNBEATEN RECORD, BUT ONLY AFTER SURVIVING A CLOSE CALL AND A PROTEST

By Graham Potter | Saturday, March 7, 2026

Well Written’s unbeaten record remains intact after her victory in the NZ 4 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie but, wow, the result could not have much closer on the track followed by further moments of intrigue and an anxious wait for connections while the final, official outcome on the race was only decided after a second-against first protest was adjudicated in the Stewards’ room.

It wasn’t supposed to be like that with Well Written generally expected to comfortably take care of her rivals, but the ‘that’s racing’ sign went up, and the predictability of it all went right out of the window when Belle Cheval rattled home late, taking ground off Well Written, who had surged clear inside the final 300m after stalking the speed throughout, with every stride.

“Belle Cheval’s going to get very close … Well Written needs the post,’ was the race-callers description inside the final 100m, and the result will show that she got the post in front, but only by the bob of the head. Belle Cheval was in front half-a-stride past the post.

As good a run as it was by Well Written under Matt Cartwright, it was a monumental run by Belle Cheval, who was at the rear of the field turning for home, giving Well Written a five length head-start.

Neither jockey glanced at the other in the pull-up.

It wasn’t over yet!

There had been a marginal sideways movement between the two fillies over the final 50m which led to the connections of Belle Cheval firing in a protest, which after due consideration was dismissed with the stewards being of the view that both horses had shifted ground, but no contact was made.

“I’m just glad she won and didn’t let anybody down,” said trainer Stephen Marsh referring to his unbeaten filly. “I thought she had got beaten on the line.

“We know she can go even better than that, but it was the last run of her campaign … and she had to carry 58kg.”

Marsh confirmed that Well Written would now go to the paddock for a well deserved break from race action.