Ellerslie Racecourse is set to host the first Group 1 race of the New Zealand thoroughbred season next Saturday, with preparations and trackwork providing a positive outlook for connections and racing officials. A total of 47 horses participated in a public gallop session on Wednesday, marking a return to full activity at Auckland’s premier racing venue and offering a glimpse of the runners aiming for the $400,000 Proisir Plate.
Among those impressing during the morning was the unbeaten mare Well Written, widely regarded as Ellerslie’s standout runner. Trainer Stephen Marsh and jockey Matt Cartwright expressed satisfaction with her performance, noting her maturity and physical development since a successful debut season. Unlike most horses, which worked on the wider portions of the track, Well Written was allowed to gallop closer to the inside rail to test footing consistency across the surface. The track itself came through preparations in good order, with staff confident that the nematode infection that affected the grass last autumn has been contained and is unlikely to impact racing conditions.
Well Written has drawn significant early attention from bettors, becoming the $2 futures favourite for the Proisir Plate, despite the barrier draw not being finalized until Wednesday. In addition to the purse for the Group 1 event, she is also contending for a $500,000 performance bonus available to New Zealand Bloodstock Kiwi runners from last season. Marsh revealed that if next week’s race goes to plan, the mare’s next objective will be the Epsom Handicap meeting at Randwick in Australia on October 3.
Other Proisir Plate hopefuls also caught the eye during the trackwork, with trainers of Lupo Solitario, Atmospheric, and Willydoit reporting encouraging signs. Co-trainer Shaune Ritchie was particularly pleased with Tuxedo’s gallop, describing the juvenile as eager and strong, with jockey Opie Bosson indicating that he had difficulty restraining the horse in the final stages, a sign of readiness for the upcoming challenge.
The field for the Proisir Plate remains competitive, with 17 horses still confirmed to run. Trainer Marsh is monitoring the status of Tardelli, who earlier appeared set for a start but faces uncertainty in the final line-up amid last-minute changes to rival entries. Meanwhile, co-trainer Danny Walker confirmed Crocetti will participate despite a disappointing effort in the Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa the previous week. Walker noted that Crocetti encountered wide racing trouble but has recovered well and remains in contention for Ellerslie.
Overall, the return to Ellerslie’s trackwork has generated upbeat sentiment among trainers and officials alike, with all parties anticipating high-quality racing as the season’s first Group 1 event approaches.