Away From the World.

[Cavallo]

Away From the World.
Featuring: World Dominion & Abastor

It was time for the Cox Plate. The one race that seemed to wiggle out of his grasp, but this year he had high hopes. Abastor was his chance, his bid, to finally add the Cox Plate to his belt. Nick watched from the rail in silent composure, so very unlike the friendly chap he was known for being with the press and people in general, but not today. Today he was silent and withdrawn. He was scared when things went well because then he was just holding his breath waiting for the crash. This year's denial of the TT Crown had been testimony of that and he was hoping against all odds that Abastor would break the trend. He had no disillusionment. They had a target painted on their backs, but that meant it was time to only increase the quality and caliber of their performances. Jeff sat astride a dancing Abastor, the black stallion was in his element and as eager and happy as ever to see the turf track. There was no doubting now that Aba was indeed a turf monster. He relished and thrived on it, but the thing about him is that enough was never enough. Jeff felt the hungry pull on the bit as the black tried to pull rank and steal the bit, but Jeff maneuvered the riot with poise and expertise, keeping his hold strong on the power house.

There was another front to take on in the turf world. Nick had opted out to take the dirt juveniles this week in the Just A Trot Futurity*, but the Golden Slipper...that was another thing. World Dominion flashed his thinly blazed face in a show of passion, his typical self rarely willing to stand still in one place as she danced sideways through the gap and straightened out once on the track. Nick was pleased with Duke. The chestnut colt had started with bang and his months of training over the fall months had pushed him into the grade three realm and he was still growing and still getting better with each workout. The competition though for this race weren't slouches though and Nick knew that for this race there was no automatic shoe ins.

He waved to Angie and Jeff to pair off and go. Angie fell in beside Jeff and they smiled wanly at one another both feeling the nerves that this weekend would bring. "How's he feeling Jeff?", she asked as they both felt their mounts eyeing one another as they broke into their warm-up gallop. "He's feisty as all get-out. He knows there's another big meet coming up." They chuckled, "How about him?". She smiled and laughed out loud gesturing to the power house beneath her with her head. "He's ready to do battle."

They were of the same accord as they galloped. Abastor's stride was significantly longer than Duke's and the juvenile had to work to keep up. Angie felt Duke's growing frustration at the work he was doing to keep up, but then that was to be expected. Aba drove the pace, his eagerness and delight palpable as he instructed the youngster by his side with swift fractions. Angie knew better than to let Duke run himself into the ground and as they charged for home Aba flew. Duke fought with Angie, his frustration growing as Abastor bounded away with a long and rapid fire strides.

He rallied but it was no match as Jeff and Abastor flashed home in fashion. Nick hummed in appreciation for both. There was no shame here today and come race day they were going to flash their talent and run away from the world.