Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2012 9:42:36 GMT -5
When twins were born it was often expected that either one, or both, would fail to succeed. They tended to be smaller than the average horse and often had weaknesses. However, Silver Stride Stables and Serendipity Hills had been lucky - the Cryin' Out Loud twins, Lucy and Sanguis, had been born strong and spirited. The pair were similar in appearance, although very different in nature, and had both been successful on the track. What was a little spooky, however, was how their records seemed to mirror one another. The twins shared a record of 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 place and 1 show and both had won one major race. In fact, it had become a bit of a running joke between the two stables.
The colt's next race was set to be the Akita Rose Stakes in April Week Four at The Wire track while his sister ran an equivalent race on the turf. His race, on the dirt, was over seven furlongs and so far there was only one other competitor for the race - the Bowen Acres' colt King's Ransom. The colt was a preceder with dun colouring and had ran two races in his career, showing in one. By all means, he lacked the experience Sanguis had but that did not mean he was not a worthy adversary. In fact, it meant that if anything their was a risk of underestimating the colt.
Mitch was hyped about the upcoming race, but he was hiding it well. He tried to maintain a col demeanor, but occasionally when the race was mentioned he could not help but grin. Who could blame him, really? Two-horse races were always exciting, and rumour had it that Sanguis would be entering this race as the favourite. Did he realise King's Ransom could pull an upset? Yes. Was he going to back down from the race because of it? No. He had vowed to give his all to the colt, and he would stand by it. The Cryin' Out Loud baby had the potential, he just had to bring that potential to light.
Matthias had been watching Mitch with some amusement. He was their youngest jockey and had the potential to be great under the right guidance. Sometimes, he seemed a little over-confindent, even cocky but the trainer had seen through that now. Mitch acted that way as a method of standing up against the older, more accomplished jockeys. Inside, he was still a little unsure of himself but every victory bolstered his confidence, every failure taught him something new.
Mitch arrived at the track for the work before everyone else and stared at his feet. He wore exercise silks, simple black riding boots with his helmet tucked under his elbow and a crop in his free hand. His brown hair was short but messy, his eyes alight with thought. He glanced up the track, leant against the fence and waited. It was a nice day, he might as well make the most of the sun while it lasted, and it was not like it would take them long to arrive.
The chestnut colt was known for being a handful at times, and today was just one of those days. From the moment the staff had started working with him it had been clear that they would have a problem and he had bitten one member of staff, as well as going to kick another. The handlers were on high alert, but luckily Lucas and Mia knew exactly what they were dealing with and were handling it well. They worked together with the colt to get him to the track, and did their best to avoid contact with other colts.
By the time they arrived at the track, both were clearly exhausted but the colt was as energetic as ever, and in high spirits. Of course he was, with his last two wins both resulting in wins he was bound to be confident. Mitch pushed away from the fence shaking his head, greeted the colt and climbed onto his back. Two furlongs up the dirt, that was all they were doing. No gates, no fuss, just a gallop. The handlers led him to their start point, he shifted in his stirrups, and then they were ready to go.
"Three, Two, One... GO!" Lucas counted down, and him and Mia released their grip on the colt just as Mitch pushed him forwards to a not-so-impressive start. It was nothing new, however. Sanguis was a closer, he started slow and finished quick. He had power, stamina and acceleration perfect for the distances at which he raced and had been carefully trained to bring out his best in the final stretch. Mitch drove the colt onwards, and Sanguis responded eagerly by quickening his pace.
Throughout the first furlong, the colt showed his strength. Their speed was rising nicely, and the colt seemed confident and secure. Mitch had a few issues with the colt refusing to listen to instructions but was firm and insistent and soon he was being listened to. Good, improvement. Sanguis would remember this come race day, he would be listening well to his jockey. They closed the first furlong and only the second remained.
Mitch started to drive the colt hard, cracking the crop. Now the colt's closing ability really made it's appearance. Their acceleration was huge, he was fighting hard and making a show of it. Horse and rider worked together in their battle for the post and it was clear that they were determined. In a race, this was how they closed the distance between themselves and horses who raced further forwards. Having been pushed from other jockey's minds this was where they really made their mark. Long strides, high speeds and determination brought them onwards quickly. They flew past the post, the workout was over, but the race still lay ahead.
The colt's next race was set to be the Akita Rose Stakes in April Week Four at The Wire track while his sister ran an equivalent race on the turf. His race, on the dirt, was over seven furlongs and so far there was only one other competitor for the race - the Bowen Acres' colt King's Ransom. The colt was a preceder with dun colouring and had ran two races in his career, showing in one. By all means, he lacked the experience Sanguis had but that did not mean he was not a worthy adversary. In fact, it meant that if anything their was a risk of underestimating the colt.
Mitch was hyped about the upcoming race, but he was hiding it well. He tried to maintain a col demeanor, but occasionally when the race was mentioned he could not help but grin. Who could blame him, really? Two-horse races were always exciting, and rumour had it that Sanguis would be entering this race as the favourite. Did he realise King's Ransom could pull an upset? Yes. Was he going to back down from the race because of it? No. He had vowed to give his all to the colt, and he would stand by it. The Cryin' Out Loud baby had the potential, he just had to bring that potential to light.
Matthias had been watching Mitch with some amusement. He was their youngest jockey and had the potential to be great under the right guidance. Sometimes, he seemed a little over-confindent, even cocky but the trainer had seen through that now. Mitch acted that way as a method of standing up against the older, more accomplished jockeys. Inside, he was still a little unsure of himself but every victory bolstered his confidence, every failure taught him something new.
Mitch arrived at the track for the work before everyone else and stared at his feet. He wore exercise silks, simple black riding boots with his helmet tucked under his elbow and a crop in his free hand. His brown hair was short but messy, his eyes alight with thought. He glanced up the track, leant against the fence and waited. It was a nice day, he might as well make the most of the sun while it lasted, and it was not like it would take them long to arrive.
The chestnut colt was known for being a handful at times, and today was just one of those days. From the moment the staff had started working with him it had been clear that they would have a problem and he had bitten one member of staff, as well as going to kick another. The handlers were on high alert, but luckily Lucas and Mia knew exactly what they were dealing with and were handling it well. They worked together with the colt to get him to the track, and did their best to avoid contact with other colts.
By the time they arrived at the track, both were clearly exhausted but the colt was as energetic as ever, and in high spirits. Of course he was, with his last two wins both resulting in wins he was bound to be confident. Mitch pushed away from the fence shaking his head, greeted the colt and climbed onto his back. Two furlongs up the dirt, that was all they were doing. No gates, no fuss, just a gallop. The handlers led him to their start point, he shifted in his stirrups, and then they were ready to go.
"Three, Two, One... GO!" Lucas counted down, and him and Mia released their grip on the colt just as Mitch pushed him forwards to a not-so-impressive start. It was nothing new, however. Sanguis was a closer, he started slow and finished quick. He had power, stamina and acceleration perfect for the distances at which he raced and had been carefully trained to bring out his best in the final stretch. Mitch drove the colt onwards, and Sanguis responded eagerly by quickening his pace.
Throughout the first furlong, the colt showed his strength. Their speed was rising nicely, and the colt seemed confident and secure. Mitch had a few issues with the colt refusing to listen to instructions but was firm and insistent and soon he was being listened to. Good, improvement. Sanguis would remember this come race day, he would be listening well to his jockey. They closed the first furlong and only the second remained.
Mitch started to drive the colt hard, cracking the crop. Now the colt's closing ability really made it's appearance. Their acceleration was huge, he was fighting hard and making a show of it. Horse and rider worked together in their battle for the post and it was clear that they were determined. In a race, this was how they closed the distance between themselves and horses who raced further forwards. Having been pushed from other jockey's minds this was where they really made their mark. Long strides, high speeds and determination brought them onwards quickly. They flew past the post, the workout was over, but the race still lay ahead.
