Woodside Park Stud's prolific Written Tycoon celebrated Australia Day with the 6yo gelding Handwritten winning at Randwick while the ever-consistent Grande Rosso made it two stakes wins in succession when fighting out a thrilling finish in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
After racing on the pace under Regan Bayliss, Grande Rosso held off the chasing pack headed by Tonopah (USA) (Rock Hard Ten) who was beaten a short head with Duke Of Brunswick (Magnus) a head off third. (photo Grant Courtney).
Winner of four of his last six starts the 5yo gelding advances his record to 7 wins and 6 seconds from 25 starts with earnings of $390,210.
Tom Dabernig, who trains the five-year-old in partnership with David and Ben Hayes, said the son of Written Tycoon is in career best form.
"He's really in a purple patch and today he was able to get across on his own terms," Dabernig said.
"He was under pressure towards the finish but he was able to stick his neck out and get the job done. He's a tough horse and the key is to not work him too hard at home.
"He's in form and
It was the first feature race win as a senior jockey for Regan Baylis.
"It's great to get
"Twelve months ago he wouldn't have raced like he does now, he was a fiery hot horse who wanted to run through the bridle but now you can put him anywhere.
"When he came back underneath me and relaxed outside the leader I thought he was going to be hard to run down."
Consigned by Redbank North to the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, the son of Written Tycoon was purchased by Glenhuntly Lodge for $220,000.
Grande Rosso is the first foal of
Another half-sister
Jestemma's yearling colt by Bernardini (USA) was sold to Slade Bloodstock for $100,000 at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale.
Written Tycoon has 6 lots catalogued for the Inglis Classic Sale and 30 heading to the Inglis Premier Yearling sale.
