Smart HK Winner for Written By- Three-Quarter Sister Inglis Premier
Written By has had a hot start to February which kicked off when The Playwright won the Group III ATC Widden Stakes on the first day of the month with a stream of winners following including progressive four year-old Steps Ahead, who won at Sha Tin on Sunday and has aspirations for the Hong Kong Derby.
Trained by Francis Lui and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Steps Ahead won two races last year over 1400m and lifted late to score a nexk win in the Class 3 event over 1800m taking his overall record to an impressive three wins and four placings from just nine starts.
Steps Ahead outlasts Lo Rider! Francis Lui's #4YOSeries aspirant wins for the first time over 1800m with @Atzenijockey up at Sha Tin…#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/QJZ9mpN3Vw
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 16, 2025
“He’s an honest horse. He always keeps fighting in his races. I’ll try get him to the Classic Cup and Derby, but his rating might not be high enough,” Lui said.
A $140,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Widden Stud for Richard Jolly, Steps Ahead won a barrier trial at Gawler in 2023 before his sale to Hong Kong.
Bred by Widden stud, he is a half-brother to Group II placed filly El Morzillo and is one of two winners from winning Snitzel mare Avocado, a full sister to stakes-winner Spending to Win from imported Group II winning sprinter Madame Trop Vite (IRE).
Widden Stud will offer the current yearling from Avocado, a filly by Dirty Work, at Inglis Premier as Lot 50 and she is a three-quarter sister to Steps Ahead, as both Dirty Work and his sire Written By are by Written Tycoon.
