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Marsh on tenterhooks as Well Written survives NZB Kiwi thriller
Kieran Bingham • March 10th, 2026 12:22 pm
Well Written wins the 2026 NZB Kiwi | Photo: Photosport
Stephen Marsh admits his heart sank before it soared on Saturday.
For a fleeting moment in the final strides of the $4 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie, the Cambridge trainer thought his unbeaten filly Well Written might have been run down.
Instead, she dug deep to keep her perfect record intact.
The Group One winning three-year-old produced another moment of brilliance in New Zealand racing’s richest three year old race, holding off a late charge from Belle Cheval to score by the barest of margins, just 0.04 lengths, in a dramatic finish that had the Ellerslie crowd on edge.
Speaking on Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy, Marsh said the final 250 metres took him on an emotional rollercoaster.
“At about the 200 to 250 metre mark. She's going to win easy,” Marsh said.
“Then Belle Cheval comes at us. I thought we might have just got beat.”
For much of the straight it looked like another trademark victory for the star filly.
Jockey Matt Cartwright had given Well Written a dream run in the one one before presenting her at the top of the straight. She quickly surged to the lead and opened several lengths on the field, appearing to have the race under control.
But from the back of the pack, Michael Dee produced a powerful finishing burst aboard the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson trained Belle Cheval, closing rapidly in the final stages.
The pair hit the line virtually together.
For Marsh, the uncertainty lasted only seconds but it felt much longer.
“You almost hit rock bottom and then George (Simon) says ‘she’s done it’, so then you’ve won,” he said.
Just when the celebrations were about to begin, another twist arrived. The dreaded inquiry siren.
“Everyone's on tenterhooks just waiting for a result. I was confident we'd get the right result once I saw it, but you never know,” Marsh said.
After a tense wait, the protest was dismissed and Well Written’s victory stood.
Only then could the stable begin to celebrate what was another landmark moment in a remarkable rise.
The win was the sixth from six starts for the three year old, adding the NZB Kiwi to an already glittering résumé that includes victories in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas, Karaka Millions 3YO, Auckland Guineas, and Soliloquy Stakes.
Yet Marsh believes racing fans still have not seen the very best of her.
“She’s not fully matured. She’s had six runs as a three year old,” he said.
“You definitely didn't see her at her very best on Saturday.”
After a demanding campaign, Marsh indicated the future will likely include a trip across the Tasman.
“They’ll (Yulong Investments) want us to take her to Australia in the spring, which certainly will be right on the cards,” Marsh said.
“I’ve always said the Golden Eagle would be a race we’d love to target.”
If Saturday’s thriller proved anything, it is that Well Written already has the heart to match her talent. And if Marsh is right, the best of her may still be yet to come.
Listen to the full interview below:
