Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2013 12:07:58 GMT -5
Winning Touch had an impeccable three year old season. This time she would be bouncing back to do the same thing as a four year old. She was stronger than ever and she was looking fantastic. I was excited for her first start this year. This year would be Winnie's time shine, and this time, no one would get in her way, not even Paradise Island, the filly that she had ran into so many times and every single time she was defeated. This time, she would not let that happen. She was ready for it this year, and nothing would stop her.
Winnie was entered in one of the new year sprints. This year would be focused on sprints and mile races. I smiled as I groomed the filly down and got ready to tack her up. This particular morning, Winnie was on her toes. She was pawing at the floor and tossing her mane everywhere – unlike her usual self, but this meant she had a bit… of… well… energy. I think them oats in her feed last night definitely helped. "She’s ready to go." I saw Jacey walk down the barn just as I lead Winnie out the stall. She tilted her head. "Blooming heck, what is wrong with her today? She said. I shrugged. I think them oats in her feed may have given her ‘rocket up the arse syndrome’." Jacey laughed at me and gave me a leg up. The filly was definitely more active than usual.
Walking Winnie out on to the dirt, the filly pricked her ears. She looked around with enthusiasm and walked forward with the energetic bounce in her step. I walked her in big loops to calm her down slightly – whilst attempting to lengthen my stirrups a hole. My red hair fell in my face lightly and I blew it away, trying not to look stupid with no hands free. I’d finished and I trotted Winnie round towards the seven furlong pole for the start of out workouts. She moved swiftly across the dirt surface, excelling effortlessly with a positive vibe. The rain continued to fall, hitting the ground, but only making the turf damp underfoot, and not slippy. Rising and falling in the saddle, I sat back down and brought Winnie back to a walk. We neared the gate and Winnie pricked her ears. She used to have an unruly fear of the gate, but now she’s got over it, she was a lot easier to handle. The handler lead Winnie into the gate and she began to paw at the turf again. She snorted and the gate opened. She stumbled out but quickly regained her step, proceeding down the dirt at a fast pace. Continuing down the backstretch, I began to push her along a bit. Her stride was long and covered a lot of ground – which would be handy in races. Into the turn and she changed her lead effortlessly, pricking her ears and sticking to the rail.
I showed her my crop when we reached the three furlong pole and I began to make myself as small as I could as I pushed her along. The filly sprinted around the turn in this seven furlong workout, pricking her ears and focusing merely on what was ahead of her. The rain blew in our faces, and my crop rose and fell easily onto her rump. The filly extended her stride and reached out as far as she could go. She changed her leads in the stretch and excelling over the surface, she flew effortlessly under the wire. "Good girl Winnie," I said, relaxing and stroking her dark bay wet neck – dripping from the rain blowing in our faces. We walked back to Jacey who stood at the side of the track. "1 minute 24 flat." My jaw practically dropped. I was amazed at how a filly that fast could run. I patted her and dismounted before I gave her some treats.