sipping wine

HERE'S THE KING AND SERAPHIM WORK FOR THE RED WINE SPRINT

There was a full three years difference between their ages, but that didn't mean any was a lesser racehorse. Seraphim was three years old, whereas Here's The King was six. Both were excellent sprinters, and both were dual surfaced. Both were also due to run in the same race this weekend - the Red Wine Sprint. it was six furlongs on dirt and for horses grade three and above, but so far hadn't attracted much competition. As of now, the race had just three entrants - these two, and Limited Bluez from Gelli Aur Stables.

They began their warm up with the usual lap of trotting and cantering. Since Stella was the regular jockey for both horses, Sarah was riding Here's The King this week and in the race. So far, so good. King was the type who bonded with his rider, and he'd taken a liking to Sarah being on his back. It wasn't as though she hadn't ridden him before, though. Stella rode Seraphim, a look of concentration on her face. But she didn't seem to be concentrating on her riding so much as her thoughts, and Sarah knew that Stella was thinking about their loss the previous weekend. Seraphim had come fourth in a field of six. The field had been talented, that was for sure, but Stella was beating herself up about it.

This race will be different. Stella thought, beginning to prepare to gallop. There's just us, King and Limited Bluez. We could win it. She certainly wanted to win it - Seraphim had won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint last year, and consequently been crowned Best 2yo Filly. So far this year it didn't look like she would be in the running for an award. That could change, if she won a few more times, in big races. It would be weird going up against one of her own mounts. King was a good racehorse, but he'd run well with other riders before and he could do it again. Besides, in a three horse field, there was only the top three.

Limited Bluez was a five year old stallion who was back racing after nearly half a year off. So far, he had not impressed anyone, and since he hadn't won since the Y9 December Dirt Stakes, it didn't seem likely that he would now. Remembering this, Stella felt a bit more confident of their chances. After all, Seraphim's last win was only a month ago. King's had been last weekend. The riders crouched closer to their horse's withers, then released them into gallop.

Seraphim sprang forward, immediately claiming the pace setter position. King broke into gallop, but didn't begin to sprint instantly like his stablemate. He was a closer and a strong one at that. In races, he'd relax at the back of the pack, then burst forward when everyone else was tiring and claim the win. Sarah allowed just a length between them though, and had to urge King a little so he kept up with the filly. They rounded the turn, and entered the straight. Sarah began to urge the stallion on, just as Seraphim made a real run for it.

As she did, King put on a superb burst of speed, and began to gain on the filly despite her own burst. He closed rapidly, and finished a bare nose in front. Sarah grinned, but felt a little bad for Seraphim and Stella. She knew the filly would get another shot at the win soon, and hoped for both their sakes that she would win it. G3+ competition was fierce, and there was some G3 and under races coming up soon. That would be the time to strike. Anyhow, they were ready for the Red Wine Stakes.