Trelawney Stud Owned Written Tycoon Mare on Track for G2 Westbury Classic

Media Release - Monday January 13

Fast-improving mare Acquarello produced the perfect dress rehearsal for her Karaka Millions Night assignment at Ellerslie on Sunday, putting away a compact field of class horses in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m).

The daughter of Written Tycoon has scarcely put a foot wrong throughout her five-year-old term, finishing in the first three at every start including a victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and a second placing to subsequent Group One winner Provence in the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m).

Acquarello (outside) on her way to winning Sunday's Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m) at Ellerslie.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

With a focus on the $500,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on January 25, Acquarello needed Sunday’s race which fortunately went ahead despite just four nominations, which included last year’s champion three-year-old Orchestral.

Orchestral had opened an odds-on favourite with TAB bookmakers, but punters were hesitant to back the star mare at a distance short of her best, instead putting their faith in Acquarello, with the pair both jumping at $2.10.

Advertisement

Unsurprisingly, the race was immediately a tactical affair, with Ace Lawson-Carroll taking Shamus up to lead at a sedate tempo ahead of Acquarello, while Orchestral was slow to jump and settled last inside of Pour The Wine. After such a slow pace, it was always going to be a sprint home and Shamus gave a sight for a long way, but Acquarello got the better of him late under Michael McNab, powering over the top to score comfortably by a half-length.

Pour The Wine was a further three-quarters of a length back in third, while Orchestral had picked up late, but was unable to catch the first pair and remained in the same position she had been in throughout.

McNab has been Acquarello’s regular rider since her Riccarton success and the top hoop was pleased with the performance.

“She was good, she was really sharp and has made good improvement from first-up to today,” he said.

“Hopefully she can improve off that again into the Westbury, so I’m really happy with her.

“The competition is obviously going to be a lot stiffer, but she had a good hit-out today and she gave me a really good feel. She’s going to be competitive.”

Pike shared a similar opinion, indicating the mare’s solid stature was always going to benefit from another lead-in run.

“That was nice heading forward into the Westbury Classic,” he said. “She’s a very big mare, obviously fresh-up the other day she probably needed that run and had a big blow afterwards, and she probably needed this run today to top her off.

“Shamus is a pretty handy horse in his own right and she took a while to get him, but she was good through the line and won it quite comfortably in the end.

“Thank you to NZTR and Auckland for putting the race on for us, it mapped out perfectly for her. She was good through the line and I’m looking forward to Karaka Millions Night now.”

Racing in the colours of owners Trelawney Stud, Acquarello was bred by Rifa Mustang and purchased for A$400,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale out of Sledmere Stud’s draft. Having had just the 14 starts, she has recorded five wins, four minor placings and $243,667 in stakes earnings. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Auckland Co-Op Taxis Hcp 1400m

Ellerslie Track: Good(4) Time: 1:25.63
1
Acquarello
- 5m Written Tycoon (AUS) x River Pebbles (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $400,000
Seller: Sledmere Stud, Scone
Buyer: Andrew Williams Bloodstock
2
0.5
Shamus
- 6g Shamexpress (NZ) x Chesapeake (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: M & K Murdoch Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 59
NZB Ready to Run Sale $85,000
Seller: Woburn Farm
Buyer: Mr SA Sharrock
3
1.3
Pour The Wine
- 5m Telperion (AUS) x Needlly (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Barbara Kennedy Rdr: W B Kennedy 54
4
1.5
Orchestral
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Symphonic (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: C J Grylls 60
More Reading...
SW 43 for Toronado - Wootton Bassett Half-Brother at Premier
Toronado produced stakes winner number 43 when mainland raider Suntora won the Listed Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers Strutt Stakes (2100m) at Hobart on Sunday with Gilgai Farms set to offer the Wootton Bassett half-brother at Inglis Premier.
Hong Kong Calling - $350,000 for Star Turn Colt
With nine winners from 12 starters in Hong Kong, it’s not surprising Star Turn is a target sire for Hong Kong buyers with a cracking colt by the Vinery Stud based sire selling for $350,000 at Inglis Classic on Sunday to the trainer of Group I HK International Mile winner Voyage Bubble.
$400,000 Wootton Bassett Colt Sets Inglis Classic Pace
Demand is high for colts from the second Australian crop of Wootton Bassett (GB) and it surfaced at Inglis Classic on Sunday when Willow Park Stud sold the top lot of the session for $400,000.
Debut 2YO Winner For Toronado - More Hanseatic Potential
Toronado produced a new stakes winner on Sunday and also produced a new debutant 2YO winner in Victoria from a strong family, in a tight finish that added to the future prospects of first season Hanseatic.
One to Watch – Bendigo
A blueblood Pierro filly from a Group I winning Redoute’s Choice mare was an easy choice as a One to Watch on Sunday at Bendigo.
$320,000 for Portland Sky Colt
Widden Stud’s first season sire Portland Sky made an early splash at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on Sunday when his colt from Cailini sold for $320,000.
Written Tycoon Mare Wins G3 for Trelawney Stud
Patiently handled mare Acquarello has the looks to match her rich pedigree and she’s now added winning black-type form to her record to boost her future broodmare value.
G1 Pedigree Watch –Toughness Gene and Darling Filly Legacy
Group I racing for 2025 has kicked off in Australia with the $750,000 MRC C.F Orr Stakes at Caulfield and there were also a pair of G1 races in New Zealand and the winners of all three races have something very significant in common.
Sires With Winners - Sunday February 9
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Metro Double for Hellbent
Hellbent has been churning out the winners this season and produced a two state metro juvenile double on Saturday with Sunrays going two for two at Doomben, while at Ascot Monte Tremezzo made a winning debut.