Written Off strikes at Sandown

Written Off saw off a competitive field of late-season three year-olds with a perfectly timed finish in the Polytrack Hcp (1200m) at Sandown on Sunday.

A son of Woodside Park sire Written Tycoon, he led home a Super VOBIS trifecta to defeat Handsome Knight (Al Samer) and Bel Thor (God’s Own) shouldering 59.5kg on a Heavy 8 track.

Written Tycoon (3g Written Tycoon – Ballpoint by Jetball) didn’t go outside a horse before peeling off the heels of Handsome Knight at the furlong.  Driven home by Daniel Stackhouse, he kept finding to defeat the front-runner and fast closer Bel Thor.

Written Tycoon won his maiden at Echuca at the start of the season but was sidelined for 40 weeks after a trip to Adelaide last September.  “He won second up at Ballarat but then had no luck at Cranbourne last time,” Cozamanis said.  “He will be fitter again for today and will be better suited once he gets out to 1400 metres.”

Cozamanis bought him for $25,000 at the 2011 Adelaide Magic Millions for owners Ross Gerbes, Shaun Graf, Barry Higgins, Andrew Lepley and Terry Rocks.  His Victorian based breeder Jenavive Dore also retained a share.

His dam Ballpoint is a sister to G2 STC Peter Pan Stakes winner Huge Jet (Jetball).

Written Tycoon has sired 64 winners in three crops and they have won 159 races.  More importantly, 12 of those winners have gone on to earn black-type.

Australia’s Champion first-season sire in 2010-11, Written Tycoon will stand at Woodside Park for a $13,750 (inc gst) service fee this year.

– Karl Patterson