Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2012 5:16:24 GMT -5
Eve and Mida work for the Quiff Stakes
Though the filly wasn’t very well known around the tracks, she still had potential. Mizadori had been sold to Serendipity Hills to continue her racing career as a three year old. Her first start wasn’t good, placing dead last in the Rosebud Stakes, but now she was here, it was time to step it up a gear. Mia was a grade five, and with consistency of little under fifty percent, it was now time for her to take her first step into the racing career with me on board. Mida’s colour was distinct. She was a bright red chestnut, almost an auburn colour in my opinion. She stood tall, sixteen hands and one inch, at just three years old. I wanted to make this filly a champion, and the only way to do that was to train her a bit more. She hadn’t had a workout since she was two, at the end of the year for the Winter Cup… where she placed a grueling fifth. She was entered in the Breeders Cup too, but Silver Stride scratched the filly. She began to slip downhill towards the end, but with some more work, she can climb back up the ranks and possibly take the win in this race tomorrow.
Confidence is something which Mida has in huge quantities; she is more sure of herself and her abilities than most race horses. In fact, due to her highly confident ways she might easily be described as overconfident. Certainly she is arrogant, cocky, and unafraid of a challenge no matter who it may come from. She will happily fight older, more experienced horses and still be determined to come out on top and feels she can show any horse in her own age group the way to succeed. Due to her over-confidence she can be an difficult horse to deal with. She feels she knows best about most things and doesn't like listening to her handlers and jockeys. To make things more difficult, it is impossible to form a bond with her as she does not allow anyone into her ever-working mind. Instead, she is always analysing everything and everyone. As such, the best way to keep her stimulated while in the stable is to find something new to put in their with her.
Mida is a determined creature. She is not phased by anyone or anything. She loves to run and she loves a challenge. Actually, she thrives within a competitive environment and will take any challenge on. It doesn't matter what she has to do, no hurdle is too big for this competent and confident filly. Mida has a sharp mind for the track and is always prepared. Weighing up the competition in the pre-race parade she tends to have an idea what she is up against before even making it to the gates. Totally focussed and ready for a fight from the moment her hooves touch the track, this confident filly knows her own mind and likes to be the last into the gate. This gives her time to watch her opposition for a little longer and form a game plan.
She herself, however, has no qualms about the gate. Once the other horses are in she will gate with ease. As such, a handler who knows her will not try to gate her until the other horses are ready. When the gates open she breaks cleanly, at about an average pace, before confidently and adeptly placing herself in the main group of the field. At this point she is very versatile, and completely in control of herself. How she runs will be dependant on her analysis of the field. Though she always tends to run with the pack she will time her move differently in each race and who she marks as her main rival in that race can be a determining factor as to when she breaks. While she will take little guidance from her jockey due to her desire to do things her own way, though will respond to a whip in the stretch.
I walked the energetic filly out on to the turf. She was definitely on her toes and you could tell. She pricked her ears and looked around the turf track. She’s never set foot on here before today, and I knew that it would be unfamiliar to her. I smiled and kept her at a walk, turning her in a couple of circles whilst awaiting the arrival of Megs on Viz, who was our new pony horse. She would come along side us and lead us round to warm us up before we got back to the gate that was halfway down the homestretch. I kept turning her in circles before I turned to see Megs, approaching on the overo stallion. I looked at her smiling before she took hold of the rein and lead us. We began to spark conversation whilst I stood in my stirrups. Mida loped alongside the stallion, pricking her ears and looking around. She towered over Viz, who stood at the small height of fourteen hands and two inches.
We approached the gate and one of the handlers lead us in. Megs cantered back down to the wire, ready to time us as soon as we broke from the gate. I sat comfortably in the saddle, and waited for the gates to open. I knew Mida was nothing like Veda, as when Veda broke, you’d fall off the back if you didn’t have superglue, but I knew what to expect now. The gates flung open and Mida broke out averagely, just as I expected. She sprung onto the correct lead and I pulled myself up. I pushed her along and her stride extended, powering energetically along the turf. I gazed through my goggles as the mane flew in my face. I bit my lip and relaxed, letting her run at her own pace down the turf. We approached the first turn and Mida rounded it nicely, keeping steady and not charging quickly round the corner.
Entering the backstretch, Mida changed her leads, and her hooves hit the ground in unison, following one after the other. I relaxed my hands at her withers as she galloped along the backstretch, passing the five furlong marker. Her long stride soon brought us both to the four furlong marker, and I began to wind Mida up. She perked her ears and snorted. I felt her extend her stride energetically as I stretched my arms and pushed her round the turn into the home stretch. At the top of the lane she changed her leads again and I continued to push her on. My crop fell onto her rump and she burst forwards, her speed increasing. I pushed her on, still biting my lip and gritted my back teeth. I felt like I could scream as she flew energetically under the wire. I relaxed and let her lope gently. I brought her back down the paces, before walking over to Megs. She showed me the timer, and we went nine furlongs in 1:45.98 seconds, so one minute and forty six seconds. I was so proud of Mida, she would do well today.
