first things first

[Snowflake]

GREAT REVENGE PREPARES FOR HIS DEBUT - THE MIGHTY MOOSE STAKES
DYSPHORIA WORKS FOR THE NEW YEAR DIRT STAKES

Marissa eyed Great Revenge, taking his features in. He was a handsome dappled grey like his sire, but had serious attitude handed down from his dam. The colt stomped impatiently, and stared back at her. She'd known the colt from birth and had spent many hours training him. He had little respect for anyone but herself, and Marissa hoped the bond they had formed would help them on their way to greatness.

Marissa? Marissa! I'm talking to you. Her sister was trying to get her attention. Sorry, what? Marissa's gaze tore from Rev to meet Sarah's. Sarah frowned at her. I was saying, take them for six furlongs today. Sprint for only the last furlong. Rev needs to work off some energy but we don't want him tired for the race.

Marissa nodded and mounted up on the feisty colt. Dysphoria and Stella were already warming up. The princess filly hadn't run in the Breeder's Cup last week so she was gearing up for her first start of the year. She was slow to mature so hopefully this year would be a better year for her. Revenge looked like he was three already, with a powerful physique and a well built frame. A slight touch to his sides and he was off at a very fast trot, clearly keen to establish dominance over his workout partner.

A smile lit Marissa's face. She had a feeling Rev was going to be great from the get go. He had the same blood as many great horses, with Bank on Silver and Rising Fury as his granddams, and Merry Bay King and Everyday Hero as his grandsires. All four were inducted in the Hall Of Fame. His sire, Bank On Greatness, was full brother to Triple Crown Champion and four time Breeder's Cup winner Impressario. He himself had won three Breeder's Cup races. Rev's dam, Vindictive Fury, was best known for being downright ferocious on the track. She was best in her final season, winning ten of fourteen starts and being undefeated between February and November. She was also the winner of the Breeder's Cup Marathon.

Rev moved on into canter on her cue, and they caught up within moments to their workout partner. Dysphoria was the four year old filly of Hall of Fame mare Euphoria, whose dam was Rev's granddam, Bank On Silver. Immediately Rev pinned his ears at Dee, who responded by lifting her head and baring her teeth at him, threatening to bite. She wasn't about to just let some two year old brat push her around. Stella frowned at Marissa and steered Dysphoria away from the colt to put more horizontal distance between the pair. Dee's not a pushover you know. Just because she's not a psycho like some of your rides doesn't mean she's not going to stand up for herself.

Rev is not a psycho. He's just dominant. Marissa defended the colt. Stella didn't reply. Several minutes passed in silence, and eventually the riders began to think about their upcoming races. Dysphoria was entered in the New Year Dirt. The grade four four year old filly had raced well last year, but not great. This year would be her year to shine. The New Year Dirt was a small field of three following a scratching. A Royal Legacy of Durango Stables would break from gate one. The Merry Bay King colt was at about the same level as Dysphoria, and was the same age. Stella guessed that this would be his year to shine. The only other entrant was Wish Upon A Star, sired by Everyday Hero and out of Warm Wishes. The four year old filly was a class above Dysphoria and A Royal Legacy, with 9 wins to her name.

Great Revenge was entered in the Mighty Moose Stakes, a race for two year old colts only. It was eight furlongs on dirt and had attracted a field of four. Marissa had done her research on the entrants, but had never seen them run so how the race would play out was still a mystery. Tell Tale Signs in gate one was a colt from In Stride Racing whose bloodlines Marissa didn't know anything about. In gate two was the colt Secret Success from Intrepid Racing. Sired by Sweet Sugar Cane, he was probably a sprinter or miler. Palisades Pirate was the only colt in the field Marissa actually knew, seeing as he had spent the first six months of his life at Star Thoroughbreds. Palisades Pirate from Stride Of Perfection Stables was out of Palisades Silver and sired by Shiver Me Timbers and was a miler.

The time came to gallop, and Rev accelerated so fast Marissa had to grab his mane to right herself. Stella and Dysphoria followed more slowly, but took position hot on Rev's heels. This workout was a test, Stella knew. It wasn't only to get Great Revenge ready for his maiden debut, but to see whether Dysphoria would give him a run for his money.. or see whether Stella was still a worthy rider for the princessy filly. She gritted her teeth, biting back tears. She and Dysphoria got on well, but was she getting the best of the thoroughbred? Riders that worked well with some horses didn't have the same effect on others. Stella had ridden Euphoria's Warrior throughout his great career, but his sister Dysphoria hadn't lived up to her name. If she couldn't get the filly off to a great start this season.. well maybe she would never get the best of her.

Rev and Marissa pounded on ahead strongly. The colt's ears were perked despite the rushing wind. Around the turn they went, the juvenile slowing down only slightly. But it was enough to allow his workout partner to catch up, and the filly sneaked into the gap between the colt and the rail. Now was her time to shine, and Rev's time to learn. The stretch straightened out before them, and the thoroughbreds each put on a burst of speed. Rev's ears were pinned now, and Marissa had to really work hard to keep him from jumping Dysphoria. After a few attempts in the space of about five seconds, Rev realised what was about to happen and concentrated on pouring on the speed. It was going to be close! One final burst of speed from each and it was too close to call. It was really too short a distance for the both of them but it was good to work off their excessive energy. They were ready for their first races of the year.

[Snowflake]

INDIAN NIGHT WORKS FOR HIS DEBUT - THE GREASY GIRAFFE STAKES
NATURE'S DREAM WORKS FOR THE NEW YEAR TURF

We need more jockeys.. Sarah had her head in her hands, shaking it slightly. She planned to have another baby soon and retire from race riding for good but didn't want to abandon her horses. This year, putting riders on horses was proving stressful. Nine new two year olds to pair with good riders. They needed more permanent jockeys.

Indian Night was a handful, but at least he was a sociable horse. Unlike those from the Rising Fury or Admiral's Revenge lines. Indy was sired by Indian Delight and out of Midsommer Night. From a grade one sire and grade one producing dam, the colt was expected to reach the same level. With his obvious desire for attention and clear talent, it wouldn't take long for him to get there and further.

We're burning daylight here. Marissa called, grinning. Her sister was a little stressed out over the jockey thing, but to Marissa it wasn't such a big deal. She was single and had no plans to quit riding any time soon, and knew Stella was the same. Olivia and Blaze were together, but the pair were young and they were just starting to get their names out there. Jack was pretty great with exercise riding, but he was too tall and too heavy for race riding and he had commitments training other horses at the racecourse.

Sarah sighed loudly and left her office to collect Indian Night. Marissa was waiting with Nature's Dream, a four year old colt by The Natural and out of Dare To Dream. With such incredible lines, the colt needed to lift his game next year. James had suggested a change of rider - maybe Marissa wasn't getting the best of the colt. Marissa had initially taken offense to the suggestion, but later agreed that if she couldn't get Dream to win his first race of the season, she'd give him to Olivia to ride.

The pair began to warm up on the turf at a brisk trot. Indy tossed his head playfully, his tail in the air to show off. The light grey colt was definitely a looker, and he knew it. Nature's Dream had more maturity of course at age four, but he also thought he was pretty good looking. He moved powerfully, looking stronger and fitter than ever. He'd been unraced since October, and his times had improved gradually since. He was finally looking at a really good season ahead - hopefully he'd make it to grade one.

On into canter, and each rider considered the upcoming races. Nature's Dream was due to run in the New Year Turf Stakes. The eleven furlong race looked to be a good start to the year, with horses at about the same level as Dream entered. Marissa sighed slightly. She knew she'd put Dream on the back burner when she'd been given Born To Impress and War Cry to ride after Sarah had fallen pregnant. She'd taken the colt for granted, and not put the effort into him that she had put into others. He had amazing lines, he'd be right, right? That had been her logic, her excuse. With War Cry retired and due to be served by Flashy Wings, and with Sarah back in Impress' saddle since early last year, she had to start putting in the time with Dream. If she was riding him for much longer.

Sarah felt a nervous flutter in her stomach when she thought about the upcoming maiden debuts. Only Indian Night and Great Revenge were entered in the first week of January, with the other seven two year olds due to run Jan Wk2 and Jan Wk3. Indian Night was due to run again Jan Wk3. The Greasy Giraffe Stakes, in which Indy was entered, was an eight furlong turf race for two year old colts only. A field of four had been attracted, and their biggest competition looked to be Daring Vision, a colt sired by Pegasus Wings and out of Once Upon A Dream. There was also Refute, sired by DW Flamekissed, and Gratis, a colt Sarah knew nothing about.

As for how the race would play out, Sarah had no idea about that either. Indian Night would lead the race from start to finish if he could, but if there were other die hard front runners, it would probably be difficult. They were only babies, after all. The six furlong pole arrived the the thoroughbreds sprang in action. Indy shot ahead of Dream, who was content to let the young colt lead for now. He'd break out the big guns in the final furlongs and show the two year old who was boss.

Indy put two lengths between himself and the big chestnut colt with ease, and then lost a bit of ground on the turn. As the stretch straightened out before them, Nature's Dream suddenly roared up on the outside, taking the lead before Indy even got going. The two year old colt hesitated in a moment of shock, and then responded to Sarah's urging, beginning to sprint after his workout partner. The colt had speed, and began to put a dent into Dream's lead, then he drew level with the other colt's hind quarters. But it was too late, Dream had taken the workout win. Indy slowed up at Sarah's insistence, snorting in surprise. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He'd been winning! But he had lost! It was a valuable lesson to the colt, to keep an eye and both ears on his competitors so they didn't catch him unawares. They were ready for January Week One.