Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Dec 16, 2011 18:46:00 GMT -5
MYSTICAL MELODY AND HENNA TURATH
STRICTLY ROYAL AND KRYSTAL YHATE
MEL'S WORKOUT FOR THE BREEDERS CUP FILLY AND MARE SPRINT
It had been an unexpected entry choice by Henna Turath, but she had felt that her filly could definitely take on the competition in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Was Mel primarily a sprinter? No; she was mainly a classic distance horse. However, she had recently won the Handsome Mile, a huge stakes race for three year olds. The Filly and Mare Sprint was a furlong shorter, but Mel could definitely take the win if she proved to have the class she had shown for the Handsome. Her running style was suited to sprints as well. She was a front runner, one of those tireless types who could somehow maintain their lead for the entire race while staving off other challengers. Henna certainly thought that the mare was capable. As well as her racing style, Mel had the advantage of experience. She had faced the classiest of competition during her juvenile season and this year, and beaten them too. Last year, she had placed third in the Juvenile Fillies, so she knew what the Breeders Cup was about.
The race had come up small, but Henna knew they would work as though there were fourteen gates filled and a world of competition to face. Breeders Cup racing was never easy, and there was always a surprise thrown in somehow, somewhere. This year, Henna was certain the surprise would come from her very own filly. She hadn't quite done a sprint in a while, which already lowered her chances, though she had all those other things going for her. Including this workout. Amber had apparently arranged for a fitting workout partner for Mel today. Henna was curious to see who it was. It couldn't be any of her mounts, as no rider had asked for her permission. Perhaps it was a sprinter from an outside stable? But no, that was a long shot, and despite the friendly atmosphere of the GHF racecourse, no stable tried to give advantages to others on Breeders Cup day. Who, then, could it be?
Mel was bouncy as usual today. Henna grinned and then frowned as Mel, like a young filly, playfully bucked. Bucking was unacceptable in a three year old filly of the SOPS establishment; who had been giving Mel bad habits? Henna briefly thought over the yearling and sighed. Who else but Forbidden To Fly? The loud colt was rambunctious and playful. He would also be hers to ride in year twelve, just as all other foals out of his dam had been. Henna knew that she would take Fly far - but when he inspired bad habits in her other horses, there would be revenge! But back to the workout. Mel was going now at a smooth canter, occasionally attempting to break into a faster pace but never succeeding under the firm hands of Henna. She guided the filly around the track once and then pulled her up. Mel was warmed up and ready to go, but who was she facing? And where were they?
After about five minutes of waiting, Amber appeared from the stable block. She jogged over, hopping over the track rail and approaching. Mel snorted excitedly and attempted to bolt, but once again Henna's firm hand won the brief battle. Henna expectantly awaited Amber's explanation.
Your partner today is Roy. He's just being a bit...hard to handle, right now, but he'll be out here. You guys will sprint five furlongs and then cool off for a mile at a slow canter Amber said, smiling. Her smile grew as she saw Henna's look of shock.
Roy? As in Strictly Royal? That colt can't sprint either and you know it! accused Henna. She couldn't believe that the juvenile colt was to be their competitor.
Well, he is, so deal with it. He may just surprise you. Krystal always pulls surprises claimed Amber, grinning slightly. Henna scowled at Amber once more but said nothing else as she turned away to go and hasten Roy's approach.
After another minute, Strictly Royal finally appeared. The colt was big boned and stocky, but he had grown into his tall frame over the past year. Now he was approaching his three year old season. The son of Royal Red Richard and Strictly Speaking had had an uninspiring two year old season, but everything would turn around for his three year old year. Henna had seen Krystal working the colt hard. He was going to be ages ahead in terms of maturity come January. But for now, he was the competition. Henna sent a hard stare at Krystal, as though questioning her sanity in making her and Mel wait, before clicking to Mel and picking up a canter. Roy quickly caught up to them, the bay colt already trying to assert his dominance. He appeared confused after a little bit of cantering, as though questioning the sanity of his workout partner as Mel completely ignored his bugling calls and challenging gaze. The filly was too absorbed in energy to do much more than demand for more speed.
When Krystal announced that she was ready to go, both women slowed their horses to a complete stop. Mel was on the inside, Roy on the outside. They paused, and Henna began counting down. At three, she and Krystal let their mounts ago, and off they went. Mel stretched her stride and joyfully took the lead, but with surprise Henna saw that Roy was keeping up with them. She hadn't expected the colt to have as quick a break as Mel. But Roy, she suddenly remembered, was also a front runner. Naturally, he would have nursed this strategy from his defeats. And Krystal really had been working with her colt. It was showing now.
Roy boldly attempted to make a grab for the lead. Feeling confident, though, Mel increased her stride. It was almost at the limit of what she could maintain, yet Roy stubbornly insisted on not falling behind. The first furlong was a silent duel between filly and colt. Their breathing was in tandem. Both riders waited with bated breath for the right moment to make their separate bids for the independent lead. Should it be on the turn, or into the stretch, or a furlong from the wire? Henna tried to work out the angles and sort out what she was feeling from Mel in order to pick out the right strategy. Krystal beside her was thinking similar thoughts. She had prepared Roy carefully, and was pleased with his current pace, and believed in his ability to beat Mel. A victory or a defeat here would still help Mel in the Breeders Cup, after all. Things could be gained from both experiences.
As the third furlong swept by and they began going around the turn, Henna turned Mel loose. The filly swept forward with renewed vigor, determinedly powering her way to the stretch. She was leaving Roy behind. That had been Henna's strategy - break the morale of the young two year old colt by leaving him in the dust, so that even if it was physically possible for him to catch up, mentally it would be difficult, and at two mental difficulties were ultra common. So it was with confidence that Henna entered the stretch. She didn't anticipate the sudden bay blur that appeared on their outside and took off. In fact, she didn't realize that Roy was ahead and not behind until he was already gone. And by then, it was too late.
Roy won by two lengths over the very surprised Mel and Henna. As the horses pulled up to a canter for the cool down, Mel caught up to the runaway two year old colt. He appeared really pleased with himself, while Krystal was smiling and patting her colt's neck.
Wow, he's really grown. Good job. I didn't even see you coming Henna commented.
Thanks! Krystal said, and then got a bit more serious. Do you know why Amber had you work with me and Roy?
Henna shook her head.
It was because of your overconfidence. Amber wants you to not win the race before its started. She wants you to treat every horse you see in the field as a threat, no matter their experience or level compared to Mel. You must be aware of every horse in the field. Don't be overconfident Krystal cautioned seriously.
Henna mulled this over in her head. Amber had created a workout to exploit her greatest weakness with Mel - their overconfidence. A sudden warm tingling exploded within Henna. Amber truly cared for their partnership. Her clever planning warmed Henna's heart. With a small smile, she led Mel off of the track after their cool down, complete with a new mindset about their upcoming race.
With this prep workout, Henna was assuredly ready with Mel to take on the Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
