Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 1:56:24 GMT -5
DAWN OF SILENCE AND IVANA BABICOVA
DANNYS WORK FOR THE SASKWATCHEN DERBY
Danny had trained well in the recent weeks, and now we believed it was time to get him back on the track. His workout alongside Captain last week was very good, and now it was time for me to go into Jacey's office and discuss the entrants to the race. My red curled hair from last night flowed behind me. It looked fantastic. I got to Jacey's office door and knocked loudly. Come in Ivana, she shouted. I stepped into the office and sat down, thoughts running through my head. Okay, the entrants declared from this morning... she said.
Jacey eyed the list. Okay, in Gate One you have Midnight Thriller, full sister to Eternal Phantom. She's looking well and performed well last time out claiming the win. I nodded and responsed. She is doing well lately, it's a shame she didn't start at the same time as her sister. She would've aced the tracks as a two-year-old. Jacey nodded, and agreed. This year, she had placed in the top three in six of her races. Unlike her sister, she is a stalker, so she will run near you. Watch out for her. I nodded and smiled.
Again, the gazed down. In Gate Two is Mercurial Magic. This is his first start of the year. Last year he raced well, claiming a first in the Unicorn Horn Juvenile, and a second and a third. My eyes widened. He can run as a front runner or a stalker. It depends really... he's hot-headed at times so likes to be where the action is. I nodded. Watch out for him too. He looks like he could be quite a strong contender for that matter.
Okay, Gate Three... Jacey said, scrolling down the list. Jacey gulped. Okay... we have Predator. This colt is a major threat, PLEASE be careful. He's looking likely to win this. He's only placed out of the top three twice this year. He has three wins, three places, and a show. He's the one to beat. Now there was a name that stood out. Predator. The colt was definitely a major threat to them all. I was slightly panicked right now, but I nodded and listened. He is a front-runner, so he will set the pace. Try and catch him out in the final furlong. I nodded and said okay. I will do.
We're starting in Gate Four. I grinned. Gate Four, my favourite slot. I enjoyed racing from that gate. I always had good luck. In Gate Five is perfect moment. This four-year-old took almost two years to break her maiden, but managed it the other week. She's stepping up her game now and performing well. She didn't do well last time out, but she's looking like a contender. She likes to race mid-pack, so that's the field sorted. I nodded. Now go and mount up, he's tacked up for you. I grinned and gave her a thumbs up as I jogged out the office.
I'd mounted up and sorted myself out. Appearing on the track, he was calm, and particularly focused. Jacey also appeared from the entrance to the track. Danny pricked his ears and walked calmly and collectedly along the rail. I halted Danny next to Jacey and looked at her. Three furlongs, push him, see how much speed you can get out of him. She said. I nodded and gave him a little squeeze. He perked his ears even more and broke into a bouncy long stride trot. I sat and asked the colt for canter, as we cantered up the back stretch and into the bend. Just before the bend, I brought him back to a trot, and began to turn him.
The colt, knowing what was going to happen, leapt forward and bounced into a powerful gallop. I grabbed to a loose piece of mane and pulled myself up, feeling his long stride beneath him. He remained focused, and stared ahead through his blue and yellow blinkers. I began to niggle at him, and he extended his stride. It was huge. The amount of ground he covered with his amazing stride was almost impossible to witness. He changed his lead as we entered the home stretch and powered down.
I was just hand driving him. As we flew down to the final furlong, I knew this was going to be pretty darn fast. I pushed him more and more. The more I asked, the more he delivered. We flew past the wire and I pulled him up. He snorted and whinnied. I patted his neck. He was warm, but no sweat. I was in complete awe at his run. Jacey stood at the side of the track. I widened my eyes as I brought the colt to a halt. Thirty two seconds flat…. She said. I gasped and patted the colt even more. We may have a chance at this now.
