Post by Snowflake on Feb 10, 2013 6:11:54 GMT -5
MANHATTAN ROYALTY WORKS FOR THE GREASY GIRAFFE STAKES
CLASSY GIRL WORKS FOR THE JANUARY MAIDEN TURF
Olivia tried to contain her excitement as she mounted up on Manhattan Royalty. She could barely believe her luck - the colt was sired by Hall Of Fame Inductee Royal Red Richard! He was very quick on his feet and was off trotting before the got her other stirrup. Good boy She praised him, grinning. He responded to her lightest touch with exaggeration, and she could tell he loved racing already. He could be compared to Streaks Of Passion, who she had ridden from grade five to grade three last year.
Stella followed Olivia on the regal filly Classy Girl. Sired by Passionate Class and out of Lawliet's Girl, she was bred to excel on the turf. Merry Bay King was her grandsire, and Bluebell Sonnet her granddam. Passionate Class had unknown lines, but the stallion had given Lolly's half sister Simply A Flyer a run for her money sometimes, and that amazing mare was entered in the Hall Of Fame. Classy was practically the definition of class. She carried herself with grace, even when got all hot and excited.
Turning through a few circles and figure eights, the horses' muscles were warmed and flexed. This would be their third workout on the Green Horse Fields track. They'd been stabled here since a week ago so ensure they were used to the busy racetrack before their debut races. It was likely they would stay here until they had at least run their first races and it was decided when they would run next. For some, that would be in the Unicorn Horn Series. Manny kicked up his heels slightly as Olivia signaled him to canter. He was in good spirits, and obviously in great health. He'd been conditioned on the lead line and swimming for several weeks before he was backed ridden for the first time.
Manhattan Royalty was entered in the Greasy Giraffe Stakes. It was a strong field of five well bred colts, and there was no doubt in Olivia's mind that it would be a tough race. Marissa had been giving her tips on the competition and how to take them all week, but there was really no telling how the race would play out, because at this point every single horse was untried. Olivia sighed and relaxed, trying to feel Manny's every move. He felt so fit and strong, but also like a rocket ready to take off at any moment. She could literally feel his energy threatening to bubble over as it coursed through him, and it gave her an thrill. This was one of the reasons why she raced.
Classy and Stella were not racing until next weekend, in the January Maiden Turf. The filly was definitely ready to race, she was just suited to longer races than were running this weekend. Stella was calm aboard the gorgeous grey. She was easily exciteable, so Stella had to control her emotions around the filly. If Stella got excited, Classy would react to it with a little bit of craziness. In other words, she gets super, super forward moving. Ask her to walk, and she'll go right to gallop.
Like in her earlier workout on Radiant Silver, they would just do four furlongs galloping today. It was a workout that would be the final preparation before Manhattan Royalty's debut, so it had to be one that would work off the excess energy without tiring the colt too much. The four furlong pole was not too far away, and the pair of riders were getting ready to send the two year old flying into their favourite pace. Anticipation was evident in both thoroughbreds, and they both tugged on the reins eagerly. A slight release of the reins, and they both switched to gallop immediately.
As she steered Manny to the inside rail, Olivia looked back to check they weren't cutting anyone off, and caught the colt holding his tail high. A grin spread across her face. Cutie. Galloping was definitely the highlight of his day, besides getting fed. She was pretty sure he'd make a great racehorse even if he didn't have the bloodlines, purely because he loved it that much. As the turn ended and the stretch was before them, the riders released them even more and the two thoroughbreds really accelerated. Olivia glanced over at Stella, who was throwing her arms forward in time with the movements of Classy's head and neck. Olivia shook the reins at Manny and felt him put on another burst of speed.
Ahead of Classy now, but only by a head. The colt was moving like a wildfire in high winds, like lightning in a thunderstorm. The filly was holding on though, not giving an inch. They crossed the line by just a nose ahead. Wow! Olivia exclaimed, leaning forward to rub the colt's neck. Stella leaned over and slapped her a high five. They were ready for their debut starts.
