Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2013 16:19:24 GMT -5
TEARS NO MORE ridden by IVANA BABICOVĂ
FIVE FURLONG BREEZE for the EAGLE CUP
Jacey Leigh Lanning was convinced that she had made the right choice for the up and coming race for two year old sprinting sensation, Tears No More. The colt had secured his place at the top of the two-year-old leaderboard at the moment, and Jacey wasn't giving up on him too fast, especially after his third place finish in the Racing Post Trophy. That didn't throw him off though. The race he was entered in did have seven entrants, but it was now down to six after the scratch of Mighty News. The Eagle Cup, over 6 furlongs on the dirt. Trouble was great over a mile and it wouldn't stop him from trying to take the victory.
Starting in Gate One was Alucard, the two year old bay colt - he was beginning to prove himself after his win in the Orchid Cup Colts, breaking into Grade Four with ease. He had five wins to his name. Trouble had raced against him a couple of times before and he had come out on top - but there was nothing holding this colt back from taking the win with how much he had improved lately. He raced as a preceder, so he would be behind us. Mighty News had been a late scratch, so in Gate Three, there was Optimus Unstoppable. The colt had only raced twice this year, both in January. The colt had been sold after Akita Rose Stables had gone downhill and crashed out the scene. But the colt was making a comeback and despite the fact he hadn't raced for 8 months. Lily Anderson would ride the colt. He raced as a closer so he would bring up the rear.
Gate Four would hold Reflected In Water. The filly had five starts with 3 wins, a place and a show to her name. It was a perfect record like Trouble himself, and it had put her amongst the favourites for the race. She won the Orchid Cup Fillies after breaking her maiden in the July Maiden Dirt. She also raced as a preceder, meaning she would also be behind Trouble. It was going to be one hell of a race with these runners. We would be in Gate Five. In Gate Six, Star Thoroughbreds had entered there grade three superstar, Crowned Queen. The filly was really beginning to make her mark with several wins under her belt. Star Thoroughbreds were expecting to take the win from under In Strides nose but Trouble wasn't going down that fast. He already had requests under his name for breedings in the future. She also raced as a preceder, so she would be right there.
Then there was Sugar Rush in Gate Seven. She was a grade five filly with three wins to her name, but the only issue was, she was also a front runner - this meant the pace for the race would be furious meaning Trouble would be at a huge disadvantage. It was sad for Jacey but she wasn't going to let that get in the way of Trouble losing the race. Jacey wasn't overconfident, but she had just enough confidence in the colt to try her very hardest. Ivana rode the colt, as he was perfect for her, she had handled him since birth. Ivana had mounted the colt and taken him out on to the track. He would work five furlongs over the dirt surface in preparation for the race. It wasn't meant to be anything big, but it would be a boost come race day. Trouble chomped on his bit. He was beginning to mature and become a nice big colt, standing at 16.3hh. Because of this, he really stood out. Ivana took the colt for a trot up to the gates, to warm him up prior to the race. They were going to practice breaking then run the five furlongs.
Trouble pricked his ears as they came towards the big metal stands. He gazed at it and when the horse was lead in, he looked around, pawing at the ground. Ivana crouched forward and held his mane and as the bell rang, the gates opened and the colts quick reaction time allowed him to jump out of the stall perfectly. Ivana grinned and stood in the stirrups. He ran freely along the pack stretch, pricking his ears and running freely. Grinning, Ivana shook the reins and squeezed his side as they took the bend smoothly, and galloped energetically into the home stretch. She didn't push him, she just let him do his thing. She rested her hands at the bottom of his neck on the withers and went with him, feeling his long and enjoyable stride beneath her. They breezed swiftly through the final furlong and as they crossed the wire, she breathed a sigh of relief, pulling the colt up and patting his neck. She was proud with how he worked, and he was ready to take on the Eagle Cup. Both Jacey and Ivana were confident.