Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 4:49:29 GMT -5
She wasn't the shining star on the track, she certainly was not the horse who got the attention of the media, but she was not a pushover. Amira had struggled throughout her career to gain a foothold on the track and if her results so far this season were anything to go by she was finally getting it. Again, it was not the most impressive record out there - she had started six times for two wins, three seconds and a third, but it was an improvement over previous years. There was hope that maybe, just maybe, Amira had finally found her place.
The jump from Grade Four into Grade Three had pleased Jacob immensely. It was always nice when a horse pulled into the next level, but there was something about those struggling horses... When a horse which had struggled pulled into the next level it was something special, something to be celebrated. Some horses did it too easily - horses like Paradise Island who just seemed to scoop up wins without much fuss - but for others wins were like gems. Precious and rare.
Now that they had raised the level and pulled into Grade Three Jacob wanted to keep going, and their next race was set to be the Capperclaw Stakes in June Week 1 at The Wire where she would face off against the Star Thoroghbreds entrants, Spitting Image and Georgie's Girl. Both horses were younger, at three years old, and less experienced but they could not rely on that to help them. In fact, in some ways, Amira's age might even count against her. But they would not give in without a fight, they would give their all to try and claim a new victory.
As a preceder, Amira would be running alongside (or preferably, just behind) Georgie's Girl with Spitting Image behind them. As a three horse field, it was bound to be tight and that Star Thoroughbreds fillies had the advantage of having trained together. In a way, though, Amira would also advantage as the Star Thoroughbreds fillies would likely focus on one another more than her and that could be dangerous. Forgetting a horse like Amira was the one thing that you did not want to do.
The mare moved with dignity beside Jack, a calm presence although her mind was sharp. Her audits flicked to every sound but she did not react, Amira had started to lose interest in the mundane and while she did enjoy the track the staff had been questioning whether they needed to find her a new challenge. Jacob was pushing, however, he wanted her to finish out this season and stand a chance of pushing her up at least one last grade. It wasn't impossible, even if she had known a difficult career up to this stage.
Seeing the bay mare arriving at the track, Jacob walked up to greet her. Her eyes seemed to light up as she nuzzled his shoulder. "Hey you, ready to go run?" he asked her and moved around to her side, climbing into the saddle. Matthias, sat in the stands, nodded knowingly at the jockey.The workout plan was already set, it just needed to be ran and then the mare would be ready. Or as ready as she would ever be, anyway.
Jack led the mare to the gates while Jacob adjusted his stirrups and tested his balance until he was happy and then focussed on where they were. The man on the ground helped to guide the mare to the gates and, despite a little initial resistance, it did not take her long to enter the enclosed space of her starting place. Gate Three, the spot she would start from on race day. It put her on the outside, meaning that she would be able to break without many issues and having to move across, even just a little, might give the the delay they need to slip in behind Georgie's Girl.
The shutters closed, and the jockey watched the turf beyond the barrier; a five furlong stretch which they were using for this workout. Amira tossed her head a little, seemed unhappy in the confined space, but Jacob calmed her. She reacted well to the familiar voice, and soon the gates were open and they were off. Amira broke quickly and cleanly, her long limbs carrying her forwards at a good pace as they moved into the first furlong with confidence. Jacob patted the mare's neck encouragingly as she settled into a good pace and seemed to relax before he guided her toward the rail.
The pace was strong, the mare's flints churning up the turf as they moved through the first furlong and into the second in good times. The mare held herself well, her movements natural and powerful without the extravagant flair that younger horses tended to add. For Amira, the joy was in the run. She enjoyed galloping, she enjoyed racing, and she enjoyed competition. Still, enjoyment was not always the deciding factor and Amira finally seemed to be able to take the track seriously. This wasn't a game any more, it was a passion, and she gave her all when it was asked of her.
Again, the furlong seemed the fly past as they entered the third furlong and a slight curve in the track. Amira handled the curve well, turning well although not sticking too tightly to the rail. She lowered her head a little, but that was all, which Jacob urged her forwards slightly to ensure she did not forget that he would soon be asking more of her. The mare picked up her pace a little, closed off the slight turn as they came into the fourth furlong and now their game was really on.
Jacob started the drive the mare, feeling her respond eagerly and cracked the crop to signal to her that the time was upon them to really start working. The mare threw herself forwards, her long legs building up speed as she powered forwards with the jockey working with her in every stride. They were quickly closing the distance now, and their times were looking good. In the stands, Matthias was watching with pride as the mare powered forwards, closing the fourth furlong.
Again, Jacob cracked the crop, continued to drive forwards appearing to grimace with the effort he was exerting and the mare continued to fight. Their speed had levelled off now, but they were doing fine and the turf seemed to fly past them although a little dust was kicking up behind them. They soon passed the post, the workout was over and Matthias was grinning. Amira was in great form, and this time was one to be proud of.
The jump from Grade Four into Grade Three had pleased Jacob immensely. It was always nice when a horse pulled into the next level, but there was something about those struggling horses... When a horse which had struggled pulled into the next level it was something special, something to be celebrated. Some horses did it too easily - horses like Paradise Island who just seemed to scoop up wins without much fuss - but for others wins were like gems. Precious and rare.
Now that they had raised the level and pulled into Grade Three Jacob wanted to keep going, and their next race was set to be the Capperclaw Stakes in June Week 1 at The Wire where she would face off against the Star Thoroghbreds entrants, Spitting Image and Georgie's Girl. Both horses were younger, at three years old, and less experienced but they could not rely on that to help them. In fact, in some ways, Amira's age might even count against her. But they would not give in without a fight, they would give their all to try and claim a new victory.
As a preceder, Amira would be running alongside (or preferably, just behind) Georgie's Girl with Spitting Image behind them. As a three horse field, it was bound to be tight and that Star Thoroughbreds fillies had the advantage of having trained together. In a way, though, Amira would also advantage as the Star Thoroughbreds fillies would likely focus on one another more than her and that could be dangerous. Forgetting a horse like Amira was the one thing that you did not want to do.
The mare moved with dignity beside Jack, a calm presence although her mind was sharp. Her audits flicked to every sound but she did not react, Amira had started to lose interest in the mundane and while she did enjoy the track the staff had been questioning whether they needed to find her a new challenge. Jacob was pushing, however, he wanted her to finish out this season and stand a chance of pushing her up at least one last grade. It wasn't impossible, even if she had known a difficult career up to this stage.
Seeing the bay mare arriving at the track, Jacob walked up to greet her. Her eyes seemed to light up as she nuzzled his shoulder. "Hey you, ready to go run?" he asked her and moved around to her side, climbing into the saddle. Matthias, sat in the stands, nodded knowingly at the jockey.The workout plan was already set, it just needed to be ran and then the mare would be ready. Or as ready as she would ever be, anyway.
Jack led the mare to the gates while Jacob adjusted his stirrups and tested his balance until he was happy and then focussed on where they were. The man on the ground helped to guide the mare to the gates and, despite a little initial resistance, it did not take her long to enter the enclosed space of her starting place. Gate Three, the spot she would start from on race day. It put her on the outside, meaning that she would be able to break without many issues and having to move across, even just a little, might give the the delay they need to slip in behind Georgie's Girl.
The shutters closed, and the jockey watched the turf beyond the barrier; a five furlong stretch which they were using for this workout. Amira tossed her head a little, seemed unhappy in the confined space, but Jacob calmed her. She reacted well to the familiar voice, and soon the gates were open and they were off. Amira broke quickly and cleanly, her long limbs carrying her forwards at a good pace as they moved into the first furlong with confidence. Jacob patted the mare's neck encouragingly as she settled into a good pace and seemed to relax before he guided her toward the rail.
The pace was strong, the mare's flints churning up the turf as they moved through the first furlong and into the second in good times. The mare held herself well, her movements natural and powerful without the extravagant flair that younger horses tended to add. For Amira, the joy was in the run. She enjoyed galloping, she enjoyed racing, and she enjoyed competition. Still, enjoyment was not always the deciding factor and Amira finally seemed to be able to take the track seriously. This wasn't a game any more, it was a passion, and she gave her all when it was asked of her.
Again, the furlong seemed the fly past as they entered the third furlong and a slight curve in the track. Amira handled the curve well, turning well although not sticking too tightly to the rail. She lowered her head a little, but that was all, which Jacob urged her forwards slightly to ensure she did not forget that he would soon be asking more of her. The mare picked up her pace a little, closed off the slight turn as they came into the fourth furlong and now their game was really on.
Jacob started the drive the mare, feeling her respond eagerly and cracked the crop to signal to her that the time was upon them to really start working. The mare threw herself forwards, her long legs building up speed as she powered forwards with the jockey working with her in every stride. They were quickly closing the distance now, and their times were looking good. In the stands, Matthias was watching with pride as the mare powered forwards, closing the fourth furlong.
Again, Jacob cracked the crop, continued to drive forwards appearing to grimace with the effort he was exerting and the mare continued to fight. Their speed had levelled off now, but they were doing fine and the turf seemed to fly past them although a little dust was kicking up behind them. They soon passed the post, the workout was over and Matthias was grinning. Amira was in great form, and this time was one to be proud of.
