Australia beckons for Scriptwriter after York second

Grade 2-winning hurdler Scriptwriter will take in the Ebor in late August before a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

SCRIPTWRITER ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan winning the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle Saturday November 12, 2022 Picture: RacingandSports

Originally trained by Aidan O'Brien, Scriptwriter was sold to Mark Adams for 62,000 guineas at the 2022 Tattersalls July Sale and immediately recorded two back-to-back wins over hurdles, including the Grade 2 Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham.

A solid seventh behind Vauban in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, Scriptwriter produced a good effort when second in the Group 3 John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes at York on Saturday.

"I was a bit frustrated at first as I think this horse gets to the front and then stops and that's what he did," said trainer Milton Harris.

"The jockey didn't really do much wrong, but a few yards ahead of the line he was ahead and after the line he was ahead again.

"He'll go back there for the Ebor next, the Group 3 was an afterthought really as I saw it and thought he may as well give it a go as he handles any ground."

Although the four-year-old gelding remains in the care of Milton Harris, he was sold by Mark and Maria Adams to Australian connections The Ashes partnership in June.

"He's been bought from existing owners of mine by Australian owners and the plan for him is to run out there.

"He'll go for the Ebor now and then into quarantine for Australia on a one-way ticket, I should think. The plan is for him to run once out there and then go for the Melbourne Cup.

"It's not set in stone, but you've got to have a dream, haven't you?"


today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}