Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2012 8:54:01 GMT -5
We had been waiting for many months for this filly to make her debut. We wanted her to mature a little. Being a calm filly, she wasn't the kind that would get worked up in the paddock. She was a small dapple grey filly, a closer who stood at only fifteen hands and two inches. Blue was her name, and though it wasn't likely that we would win this first contest with a four-year-old experienced filly entered, we were going to give it a shot. Blue is one of them filly's who is a very loveable character. Her love of foals means we actually put her in the paddock to graze with the weanlings. She is laid back, relaxed, and wouldn't hurt a fly with her calm temperament. On the track, she likes to show her competitive side. She will wait at the back of the pack and make her move on the inside at the three eighths pole, before coming wide and sprinting down the stretch, hoping to take the win.
I would be doing a couple of workouts with the filly for this race. If we were going to make an impression on the track, we might aswell. The race we had lined up was a relatively good field, in my opinion. With two racers from Star Thoroughbreds, and one from Bowen Acres, it appeared we would have to work hard to make an impression. The four declared entrants for this race so far were us, Gallant Knight, Beyond Perfection, and Declarate. Three were two-year-olds, whereas Declarate, the already clear winner of this race had started several times being a four year old, and had failed to win a race. It looked to be her turn right now, but we would try and run them down.
In Gate One was the filly herself, Declarate. The filly had started nine times, only ever placing in the top three on four of those occasions, the top three being third in all four. She had the experience and looked as if she would win it tomorrow on race day. Starting under a new stable and a new jockey for the second time, Clara was looking to prove people wrong. All in all, she looked to be the heavy favourite in that race.
In Gate Two, Beyond Perfection was looking to try and get the win. The colt wasn't a sprinter. He raced over nine to twelve furlongs and had failed to impress in his first start where he placed seventh in the Stable Face-Off Maiden Dirt, where Declarate took third place. With some good lines, the colt was looking to follow in the footsteps of his parents, but was it to be? Beyond The Limits was his sire, who raced over nine to fifteen furlongs, retiring with a record of 44-19-13-7 and earnings of over twenty five million. Perfection was also a Grade One mare, retiring with a record of 71-23-20-16, and earnings of over twenty one million.
In Gate Three was a colt that was previously owned by Alice and Jacey when it was Kacey Hill Stables - Gallant Knight. The colt wasn't a sprinter either, and had been entered for experience purposes, same as Beyond Perfection. He raced over nine to twelve furlongs aswell, and had some great lines. News Flash was his sire. News Flash was a grade one racehorse who retired with a record of 54-16-9-18. He was very versatile, able to run in sprints or marathons and anything in between on either surface. He is the sire of G1 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winner Flashy Wings.
Blue stood quietly on the edge of the track as I awaited to mount her. I ran the stirrups down and I lifted my foot up and mounted onto the small filly. She accepted me perfectly fine. I sat lightly and sighed, adjusting my stirrups. She was calm, and didn't do anything. Just stood there, flickering her ears back and forth. After a few minor adjustments, I picked up the reins and gave her a squeeze. I was surprised at how responsive she actually was. We walked along together and her stride was bouncy, a lot bouncier than I expected, though she was calm. After a few paces along, I squeezed her into a trot. It was instant, and I didn't expect it. I smiled and rose with her trot.
Rounding the bend, I sat in the saddle and she rocked into a canter again. She loped along and yet again I pushed myself up into my stirrups, cantering along energetically. She snorted with each stride and I giggled. I asked her to extend a little bit and she responsed quickly yet again. I was in love with this filly. I took a deep breath as we came to the bend after a canter along the backstretch, and I let her run. I grinned and crouched down, urging her along. She sprinted along the dirt at high speeds, excelling round the bend. I pushed her on more and as we entered the homestretch my crop fell onto her rump. She sprinted along, her short stride powering along the surface. She kicked it up behind her and I bit my lip. Flying under the wire, all the tension was released and I slowed her. She hadn't even worked up a sweat. I smiled and brought her down the paces. Let's go win this race, Blue. I said, stroking her neck.
