Bella's Bliss

Beltane was a great filly at this moment in time, winning two in a row with victories in the Jump Start Sprint and Green Horse Turf Sprint. This time, she'd be setting foot on the dirt for the first time this season, in the six furlong Unicorn Horn Dirt Sprint. As a five year old, three weeks of racing in a row wouldn't affect her. It was a new dawn, it was a new day, and this time, nothing would get in Bella's way. It wasn't going to stop her from getting to the grade one status. We weren't being over confident with it, but we were confident enough. She was one of the most experienced horses in the field, and she was ready to rumble.

The race was a competent one, with five other entrants including Bella. Forbidden to Fly was in Gate One. The colt had aced the Wire track the previous year, with all but one of his wins on the track. Now he was back and fighting, ready to try and win over at the Green Horse track, since his win in the Alot To Live Upto Stakes*, and the win before that, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile*. He was a strong colt who looked very likely to take the win today. Though he had more wins, he hadn't got as much experience on the GHF track, mainly the Wire, but that wasn't going to stop him from taking a win today. He would race in mid-pack.

In Gate Two was the accomplished Bowen Acres colt, who placed third in the Breeders Cup Sprint*, rather unexpectedly for them. He was one to watch out for and one who would definitely rock in this season against the big guns. Though he wasn't very well known, he was ready and raring to go today. Bowen Acres had won an award for perseverance on the Wire's track. Gambler was out to make an impression this year and there was a field full of six horses who would be trying to stop him. As a closer, he would close at the end of the race.

In Gate Three was the Filly and Mare Sprint winner, After Dusk. The filly was strong, and raring to go. The win came unexpectedly to Star Thoroughbreds after she beat out Afterglow and Winning Touch, and she was now by far ready and raring to go. The filly needed one more win to break into Grade One, and so did Bella. They'd be neck and neck come the quarter pole by the looks of things. She was a preceder, so would be lingering in behind Bella.

Gate Four would hold Wannabe Hero. The Year 11 Best Grade Five was lightly raced in Year 12, but placed 2nd in the Boys Festival before winning the Star Festival. He'd won the New Year Dirt Sprint, bounding back nicely. He was a grade three with nine wins to his name but he was strong and raring to go. The colt was a front runner so Bella and Jace would be racing neck and neck alongside him. The two stables were in competition with each other already, and this time, nothing was going to stop them from trying to win.

Bella was one of them unpredictable fillies. She can appear calm and relaxed to everyone in the barn, but she does inherit some of her parents side with her aggressiveness. She also dislikes people who try to boss her around, which isn’t too good either. If you were in the paddock before the race, you’d see the things that this filly does. She is an absolute nightmare. The only time she calms down and focuses is when she is in the gate. That’s when she turns from this nightmare to a focused and more determined filly.

Jacey finished securing her body protector in the changing room and collected her hat and crop. Beth had tacked up the filly and walked her out of the barn into near the entry to the turf track. He offered Jacey a leg up and she accepted. She bounced up onto the well conformed filly. Her muscles rippled effortlessly under her shiny black coat. Over the winter she had matured physically and it was really easy to tell in all circumstances. The filly walked forward assuringly, every step she made was like being in heaven. She stood taller than last year, and stronger too. Jace smiled as the filly’s smooth transition to trot took her by surprise. Standing up in the stirrups, Jace let her canter a bit, letting the reins slip through her hands. She pulled the goggles down from her hat over her eyes, and began to focus. They approached the starting gate at the five furlong pole and Jace slowed the filly. Bella tossed her mane and snorted.

Gating the filly was no problem when no other horse was about. She would walk in easily, and become focused and determined on winning. The gates closed and the centre of attention for both horse and rider was bouncing out onto the dirt and winning the race. The bell rang and both horse and rider sprung effortlessly out on to the track. The filly pricked her ears, her long stride was effortless. Rounding the turn quickly and furiously, Jacey felt her arms ache. The filly pulled and at the top of the stretch, she let her run. The crop rose and fell onto the filly’s rump and Jacey stretched out as much as she could. Under the wire, she relaxed and patted the filly. They were ready to take on the Unicorn Horn.