Moving Forward.

[Cavallo]

Moving Forward.
Featuring: Nightshade & Meritorious

The CTC wasn't meant to be for Nick Landing this year, but that wasn't too upsetting. IRS was still going to be putting in a fierce showing with Meritorious and the two remaining legs were anyone's game. Casualty of War had claimed the first leg, but both Tori and Michael had vengeance on the brain and they would not be lenient in this next outing. Shenanigans was a very real threat, then again the whole field was. Nick was determined though for this white faced filly to put in the show of a lifetime in this three horse field.

Nightshade had skipped the Autumn DTC. He probably shouldn't have...they could have gone for legend status if she'd won all four runnings this year, but he wasn't about being greedy. The black bay mare needed breaks two, but two weeks definitely seemed to be her limit. Her energy was almost uncontainable, but Nick was more than efficient in handling the seasoned mare. Micheal smirked over at his brother. It was good to see him tacked up with a racehorse. Granted, Nick being able to focus specifically on training, but it was good to see that Nick still had the touch.

"Come on brother. I've been itching for a good ride and you and Tori better not disappoint," Nick casually barbed at his brother swinging into the saddle. Atropa was familiar enough with Nick to not put up too much of a fuss, but she eyed Tori with a cold eyed. She'd stolen her human and now she was trying to test her in her element. Nick grinned as he felt Atropa's mind working everything out. This filly would not be taking it easy on the chestnut three year old.

Tori returned the cold stare and stilled in anticipation as Michael jumped up from the ground lithely and into the saddle. "Well then brother. Let's see if you've gotten rusty." He took Tori out and she was more than willing to put distance between her and the stone cold mare in her wake. Nick smiled as he watched Michael and Tori take their place on the track, dirt clods kicking up in their wake. He clicked to Nightshade, who needed no encouragement.

Nightshade was in her element a length off the three year old as they galloped in a warmup around the track for a half mile. Michael felt Tori's collected power as they galloped handily over the track, but the threat of Nightshade and Nick was never from from both horse and rider's mind.