Blue As The Sea

Lawliet's Girl had been a very powerful turf racer, owned by Star Thoroughbreds. She had won races such as the Caulfield Cup (twice), the Continental Cup, the Universal Cup, the Pegasus Stakes, the Cox Plate and the Tropical Rainforest Invitational. In other words, she had won a large number of the top turf races around. Now, he half brother was on the verge of making his debut. A two year old colt out of Bluebell Sonnet and by the powerful Whippet, Blue Me Away was definitely from some strong blood and that blood was exactly what had inspired his purchase.

The colt was as energetic as ever, and with his desire to go there was no doubt he would be fast on the track. In training, there had been no issues getting him to run, but there had been issues in getting him to stop. The handlers had certainly witnessed this, as the colt had a horrible habit for dashing for the track the second he had tack on and it was no different the morning of the workout. They had finally pulled him to a halt on the turf track, but the handler who had initially been in control of him was covered in dirt from where they had been literally dragged by the powerful colt.

The colt, who ran between eight and eleven furlongs, was penned to run a maiden race in the first week of January. The race in question ran over eight furlongs on turf, and was for two year old colts specifically. It meant he would be going off against other colts of his own age who he would face time and time again during his career. It was a chance to get ahead of his age group, and it was a chance which would not be passed up. So far, the field consisted of five, with Blue himself starting in Gate Five.

Gate One would hold the Intrepid Racing owned Abastor, a colt who definitely had some nice bloodlines. He was sired by Bucephalus, the twin to Requiem, and out of the grade one mare Mystical Sunrise. If his bloodline was anything to go by, he was definitely a threat but there was no guarantee that good bloodlines would mean good results and Blue also had good lines. Gate Two had been drawn by the Dream Valley owned Tidal Wave, a colt who had no known lines and so there was little to judge him by. Rumor had it that he was a sprinter, so this race was at his upper limit, but there was no guarantee that rumor was true. Gate Three would be the starting position for the PHS owned Himeros, another horse from unknown lines. Again, it was a horse which could not be second guessed and little was known about him. Finally, Akita Rose Stables had drawn Gate Four for the Jazzman colt out of Point Away, Jazzaway. His parents had certainly been spirited, successful racehorses and Akita Rose Stables were not wrong to hope that he would to.

Of the jockeys at the stable, it was Jacob Donovan who had been selected as the colt's jockey. He was a calmer jockey than the others, but also quite firm with the horses he rode, which meant that he was the most likely to be able to control the colt. Certainly, in training they had started to show signs of a bond forming and that bond showed itself when the colt saw the approaching jockey. He lifted his head, perked his ears and scratched at the ground in an irritated manner. His tassel cracked against his rump and Jake walked over, patting the colt's neck and pulling himself into the saddle.

"Ok Blue, I know you're ready. Let's get this work down." he spoke in soft tones to the colt and urged the stunning black colt toward the gates, wanting to try him out in a workout which was structured like a race. As such, they would start in the gates before taking on a four furlong stretch to prepare for their debut. Someone had to win the race, and Jake hoped to get a positive start for the colt. A win was the most positive start possible.

As they approached the gates Jake had the fun of trying to stop the colt. It was a little difficult, but eventually the colt grudgingly came to a halt and the handlers came over the help lead him into the gates. Luckily, Blue had taken quite well to the gate and it did not take long to get him loaded. As the shutters closed, Jacob pulled the goggles over his eyes and rose in the stirrups. Things were about to get started.

The gates opened, and Blue broke quickly, surging out on to the track. Jacob steered the colt toward the rail, the colt responding well to his request and not putting up a fight. In a race, this was where they would settle behind the leaders, adapting their style to the pace which the front runners set. But whatever pace was set they would be ready as they hung back behind them until they came into the stretch where they (unlike many preceders) would experience a burst of speed which could excel them over the line in first position.

The turf was solid enough beneath them as they powered forwards, stride after stride carrying them closer to the post. It was a short stretch, and the colt seemed determined to perform. His gait was flawless, his movement perfected. As a foal, he had always been galloping around the pasture and he had worked on becoming quicker and quicker, racing not only those his own age but any horse he could come into contact with. Now he had come to racing age, his stride and movement had been adapted for exactly what he had been bred for.

Two furlongs remaining, and Jacob drove the colt forwards, cracking the crop against his rump. As they surged forwards the colt's audits pinned against his skull and he threw himself into the movement. The sound was incredible, the colt's hooves crashing against the ground and the wind whistling in the jockey's ears. Jacob tried all the harder for the sound and as they passed the post he felt a rush of adrenaline shoot through him. The colt was prepared.