Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2013 5:11:13 GMT -5
Everyday Smile was having a good, although quiet season so far with only three starts in the first three months of her career but she had performed well so far and Matthias had said he was ready to start putting her in more races now that she was a little more settled than she had been at the beginning of the year. Alana was glad of it, although she understood why Matthias had been wary of pushing her too hard too soon - she was incredibly bred and it would be a crime to waste such breeding by putting her in races she was not ready for. Still, the upcoming Magic Millions series was going to be a turning point and Alana was determined to make sure the filly maintained her good record.
The chestnut certainly looked impressive as she was led out onto the track, calm and relaxed although attentive. Her head turned to gaze down the track when she was pulled to a halt and she only looked around when Alana lay a hand across her shoulder. The filly nuzzled at the jockey, who gave her a sugar cube and a scratch behind her ear. "I hope you are ready, Elle. This race isn't going to be easy." Alana wasn't joking either, the four-horse field was intense and their competition were some of the best fillies in the classic dirt fields.
Alana was particularly looking forward to facing off against their unofficial rivals - Battle Wings and Headstrong - again as the last time the three had raced it had been a vicious affair with Elle barely managing to claim victory. But Alana had a plan, even if they would need luck on their side for it to really work. She would let Battle Wings and Headstrong duke it out for the lead with Heart Of Rio, the other entrants, pushing the pace while holding Elle just a little behind until the final stretch and then she would let the chestnut truly run and show just what she was bred to do.
As Alana pulled herself into the saddle she could not help but smile slightly. She had changed over the last year, had become much less stern and found life much more enjoyable for it. For some of that, she gave Elle credit - the filly's sweet nature had cracked her tough exterior and with everything that had happened with Matthias she had come to realise that life was just too short to be so serious all of the time. Her dad was out of her life, she didn't need to live in hatred anymore.
The fearless filly did not spook at the gate, or refuse to enter, but strode in with calm confidence and as the shutters were closed behind them Alana rose in her stirrups, eyeing the two furlong dirt stretch ahead of them. It was short, and it would be quick because of it. Today was about pushing for speed, about ensuring Elle would have what it took to deal a final blow come race day. Not that she doubted the filly, but anything to give an extra boost would be useful against the competition they would be facing.
The gates opened and the filly broke well, her stride long and firm. Even though she would have picked up her pace naturally Alana started to drive the chestnut after several strides and Elle's audits pinned against her narrow skull as she started to pick up pace. The acceleration seemed slow at first, although horse and jockey were both working hard to build momentum but as they passed the one furlong marker and the crop cracked there was a change. Suddenly they weren't just running - they were racing and thefilly's stride lengthened as she pushed onwards.
Stride after stride, determination shone in the filly's dark eyes and the jockey drove hard, working with the filly in the stretch. Again the crop cracked, and though she filly became no faster she was travelling at frightening speeds. Even without competition to fire her on, Elle was going for it and she streamed past the post in impressive style. If they could do that come race day, perhaps they might just cinch that next victory.
The chestnut certainly looked impressive as she was led out onto the track, calm and relaxed although attentive. Her head turned to gaze down the track when she was pulled to a halt and she only looked around when Alana lay a hand across her shoulder. The filly nuzzled at the jockey, who gave her a sugar cube and a scratch behind her ear. "I hope you are ready, Elle. This race isn't going to be easy." Alana wasn't joking either, the four-horse field was intense and their competition were some of the best fillies in the classic dirt fields.
Alana was particularly looking forward to facing off against their unofficial rivals - Battle Wings and Headstrong - again as the last time the three had raced it had been a vicious affair with Elle barely managing to claim victory. But Alana had a plan, even if they would need luck on their side for it to really work. She would let Battle Wings and Headstrong duke it out for the lead with Heart Of Rio, the other entrants, pushing the pace while holding Elle just a little behind until the final stretch and then she would let the chestnut truly run and show just what she was bred to do.
As Alana pulled herself into the saddle she could not help but smile slightly. She had changed over the last year, had become much less stern and found life much more enjoyable for it. For some of that, she gave Elle credit - the filly's sweet nature had cracked her tough exterior and with everything that had happened with Matthias she had come to realise that life was just too short to be so serious all of the time. Her dad was out of her life, she didn't need to live in hatred anymore.
The fearless filly did not spook at the gate, or refuse to enter, but strode in with calm confidence and as the shutters were closed behind them Alana rose in her stirrups, eyeing the two furlong dirt stretch ahead of them. It was short, and it would be quick because of it. Today was about pushing for speed, about ensuring Elle would have what it took to deal a final blow come race day. Not that she doubted the filly, but anything to give an extra boost would be useful against the competition they would be facing.
The gates opened and the filly broke well, her stride long and firm. Even though she would have picked up her pace naturally Alana started to drive the chestnut after several strides and Elle's audits pinned against her narrow skull as she started to pick up pace. The acceleration seemed slow at first, although horse and jockey were both working hard to build momentum but as they passed the one furlong marker and the crop cracked there was a change. Suddenly they weren't just running - they were racing and thefilly's stride lengthened as she pushed onwards.
Stride after stride, determination shone in the filly's dark eyes and the jockey drove hard, working with the filly in the stretch. Again the crop cracked, and though she filly became no faster she was travelling at frightening speeds. Even without competition to fire her on, Elle was going for it and she streamed past the post in impressive style. If they could do that come race day, perhaps they might just cinch that next victory.