Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2012 9:40:08 GMT -5
Souvenir & Mitch Evans
Souvenir was a new horse to Silver Stride Stables, and a very exciting one at that, already being Grade One with a very strong record. The four year old had been a real eye-catcher when he had come up for sale, a reclaim by Intrepid Racing, because of his pedigree and his achievements on the track. In twenty-eight races, Souvenir had managed to claim fourteen of them and he had only placed outside of the top three twice. Matthias knew he had been a steal, and he was looking to build on the colt's already impressive record.
Given that Souvenir was such an impressive horse, Matthias had chosen to bring the colt back to the track with style with a start in a major race. It was certainly a risk, the colt had a new jockey and was still adjusting to the changes, but it was one that he had decided to take. The race which had been selected was the Anathema Stakes Race One - the first race in a new turf series which would run for grade and two horses. In other words, it was a race series for horses at the top of their sport. It certainly would be a test of the horse and of his jockey.
Mitch was nervous about the field. He had not yet raced with the colt, and Matthias had gone and thrown him in the deep end against three powerful horses. But Mitch was not one to show nerves, he had taken a leaf out of Alana's books and brushed it over but those who knew him well could tell. Matthias was one of those people. When he had told Mitch that he would be racing against the likes of Worldbreaker, Destined For Glory and Alluring Assault his face had paled slightly. The rest he had hidden well, but that initial shock had gotten to him.
Since receiving the news, Mitch had done some research into the field. Worldbreaker was a five-year old stallion owned by Stride Of Perfection Stables who had rose to the rank of Grade Two and was only one win away from Grade One. In his career, he had raced thirty-nine times and there was no doubt that he would be looking for victory in his fortieth start. His most recent start, in the Merry Bay King Memorial Starts, had resulted in a second so he would likely be more determined for a win because of that. Come race day, the stallion would be starting in Gate One and would race as a closer.
Gate Two would hold Close Racing's Destined For Glory, a grade two mare who also ran as a closer. The mare had some serious experience, having ran in sixty-four races and this would give her an advantage. However, her fallback was her consistency - Destined For Glory had placed outside of the top three in just under half of her races although this season had been very strong for her.
Gate Three was set to hold Intrepid Racing's Alluring Assault, a mare who had claimed a staggering seven wins this season in her rise from grade four to grade one. At six years old, she was the oldest horse in the field and had raced in sixty starts, claiming herself a consistency level of seventy-seven percent. Like Worldbreaker and Destined For Glory, Alluring Assault ran as a closer.
Mitch had, with his research, summarised that while Souvenir was a strong colt the competition was also very tough. He was outclassed when it came to experience, however he also had the highest level of consistency as well as the highest number of wins (although only just). What really worked in Souvenir's favour, however, was his racing style. While he did usually run as a closer, he had also been trained as a stalker at his previous stable and with his competition all being closers this gave him an advantage. Mitch had decided that he would push the colt up the field and take a lead, allowing the others to battle it out for position at the back while he was free to focus on the race.
Matthias had agreed with Mitch's plan earlier that morning when they had been arranging the workout. However, Souvenir's presence at the stable was still a secret from most of the staff and so they had chosen to save it until late in the afternoon when the rest of the jockeys had headed off to eat, go to the gym and sleep ready for an early start the next day. So by the time they actually met up prior to the workout, it was already four thirty.
"Mitch, you know you can do this, right? Souvenir is a strong horse, and you are a great jockey. You came up with a good plan, and I just want to see you give it your best shot. Okay?" Mitch nodded as he came up beside the trainer and Lucas, the handler. Lucas winked at him and Mitch grinned. This is what he loved about Silver Stride Stables, they were all one big family and they supported one another. Of course, he was looking forward to seeing the other jockey's faces when they realised just what horse he was riding, as well. Lucas headed off to fetch the colt while the jockey and trainer started to walk down to the track.
Souvenir had certainly settled in now, and he looked at home when Lucas arrived at his stall door.The colt raised his head to look at the handler, who couldn't help but grin - there was something about Souvenir. Something that nobody could really explain or understand. When he looked at you it was as if he looked through you and he was truly lovable. Lucas opened the stall door and took hold of the colt's rein, leading him from his stall and out into the yard.
The colt was calm as they walked down to the track, but he was alert. His head turned to every sound and he seemed to be interested in the areas around him. Lucas urged him to continue again and the colt obliged. The walk down to the track was uneventful and quick and once they arrived Mitch was quick to mount, determined to prepare the colt for what was going to be a very challenging race against some very talented horses.
"Mitch, I want you to run him over two furlongs. It's not far, I know, but at a good speed it should prepare him to challenge some of the top turf horses on the track." Mitch nodded, patting the colt's neck as he looked at the trainer. "Gates?" he questioned and the trainer shook his head. Clearly, he was just as excited to see the colt running as Mitch was and they all knew that the gates would take time to set up. "Not today. It wouldn't benefit him much and I know you really want to get started. Maybe this run will soothe your nerves a bit." the trainer was almost mocking, but Mitch could see the smile in his eyes, hear the laughter in his tones.
With that, Lucas led the colt and jockey to the two furlong mark, pulling them to a halt before looking him in the eye. "You'll do fine." he promised. Mitch nodded, rose in his stirrups and prepared himself for the workout, his eyes settling on the turf ahead of him. Seeing that Mitch was ready, the handler smirked. Yes, he was going to do fine. "Three, Two, One." he released his grip on the colt's rein and a second later the colt broke off.
Mitch found the colt's stride quickly and urged him forwards, feeling the speed building up beneath him as the colt's long limbs started to move more and more frequently. It was quite the ride, although it had taken several strides for the colt to really start moving properly because of his long legs - at 17.3hh Souvenir was definitely one of the largest horses that Mitch had seen on the track - but once he had that was it. They were off. Long, powerful strides carried them forwards toward their goal, and every few strides Mitch would urge the colt on to ensure that they maintained their now quick pace.
As the first furlong came to a close, Mitch couldn't help smiling slightly. It felt amazing, the colt beneath him reacting to every slight command he gave and now... Now he could really let loose. He started to drive the colt in earnest, pushing him to go faster and the colt responded eagerly, although the jockey cracked the crop the ensure the message had really got through. They were surging onwards, the ground seeming to fly past and very soon the post was behind them. The workout was over, Mitch started to slow the colt, and he knew that they at least stood a chance.
