The Goodwood 2015: Griffiths Happy With It Is Written’s Form

Robbie Griffiths is happy with the 2015 The Goodwood lead-up form of It Is Written, but he admits that the consistent sprinter will face stiff competition in the Group 1 event at Morphettville tomorrow.

It Is Written has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 The Goodwood. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

It Is Written has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 The Goodwood. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

It Is Written started his autumn campaign with a second place finish in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 24 and he returned to winning form in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on February 6 before he finished a credible seventh in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 28.

The Written Tycoon gelding finished a close fourth behind Lucky Hussler in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 27, but he produced the worst performance of his campaign in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on April 18.

Griffiths told Racing Ahead that he can’t fault the form of It Is Written heading into the 2015 edition of The Goodwood, but he said that the six-year-old will need to receive a dream run from barrier one in order to upset the likes of Hucklebuck and Lucky Hussler.

“I think that it is an outstanding race,” Griffiths said.

“The strength in the race is incredible with Hucklebuck, Lucky Hussler and there are just so many of them that are going well.

“The drier the track becomes is better for his chances and it was a little bit concerning to know at acceptance time that it was a soft seven, but I see that it is up to five now, so hopefully the weather is ok.

“I think that he has been holding his own quite well.

“Without a doubt he is a better horse at the Valley and his Valley run when he ran fourth at Group 1 level was certainly his best run and he always races a couple of lengths better at that track.

“I can’t fault his form and I think that he is doing everything really well, but some of these horses have better credentials than him and he might be able to balance the books out with a cheap run.”

Griffiths is chasing his first win in The Goodwood after finishing second with Solar Antiquity in 2005 and missing the placings with Beltrois (fourth in 2010), Count To Zero (eighth in 2008), Cocinero (13th in 2008 and eighth in 2007), Can Lago (14th in 2007), Dandy Kid (14th in 2001) and Declare (tenth in 1998).

It Is Written is currently available at 2015 The Goodwood odds of $41 with Ladbrokes, while Hucklebuck ($4.80) and Black Heart Bart ($4.80) remained locked in a battle for favourtism.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.