Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 11:05:23 GMT -5
It had been a while since the filly had last graced the track. Half way through her juvenile season things had gone wrong and her stable had closed. She had been left, untended to and uncared for. Forgotten by the world she had been lost, but things were on the mend. No Wonder had found a new home, and although she had been unraced for over a year she had not lost her desire to run. Wonder, who had earned herself the nickname Fireball, was as eager as ever to tear up the turf and would be making what would hopefully be an impressive return to the track.
Due to his low workload, and the amount of work that the chestnut filly would require to help her achieve, Mitch had been asked to be her jockey. Something which had astounded him, as the newest jockey on the team. After all, the filly's lines were legendary. She was the daughter of Merry Bay King - really, one of the all time racing greats and a hugely successful stud. She had siblings whose names even those who didn't follow racing knew. She was his first big chance, and he had no intentions of blowing it. With work, this filly was more than capable of achieving grade one, and he didn't intend to waste any time. Especially when her scheduled return to the turf was quickly approaching.
As Mitch made his way down to the track he grabbed a few sugar cubes from the staff room. Having spent a few hours with her the day before he knew the filly had a fondness for them, and Matthias had explained to him the importance of forming a strong bond with his rides. He was scheduled to meet Matthias, and the bright chestnut fireball, on the track in ten minutes and he was hugely excited about riding her for the first time. His little legend in the making, if he got his way.
When he arrived at the track he moved straight to the filly and stroked her muscular neck, sneaking her the sugar cubes from his pocket before Matthias came over and looked between the young jock and the filly who, at 15.3hh, was below the average height of a thoroughbred. For a second, there seemed to be laughter in the trainers blue eyes, but things soon became serious. As Mitch mounted, Matthias explained the workout they would run today, as a preparation for a further workout before raceday. If Wonder seemed to be happy enough in time, they might even run a third workout with the filly Mizadori, who would also be running in the race that Wonder was scheduled to make her return in.
So, for today, they would be running a mere three furlongs on the turf. They would start in the gates, and Matthias wanted him to push her from beginning to end. To get a grip on her current speed, Matthias had explained, and to avoid straining her too much by throwing her straight into long workouts when she had been away for a while. But it suited Mitch, and his aggressive racing style, to a tee and he just nodded. There were no complaints from him, and so the handlers went about leading the filly to the gates. It took several attempts to get her into the gate due to the speed she was moving at but soon enough she was in and the shutters closed behind them.
Mitch pulled his goggles down, over his eyes, and set his gaze, on the track ahead. His jaw set, he was focussed and ready to prove himself worthy of the ride. As soon as the gates were open, the filly dashed out and Mitch's job began. He drove her hard, with each stride he urged her to go faster. The chestnut filly seemed surprised to be driven so early, but responded eagerly by setting a high pace and fighting to increase her speed. In all honesty, she was tearing up the turf. Her mane flying behind her, and her gallop was beginign to turn from the controlled movement of the racer into a frantic battle charge.
There was no doubt in Mitch's mind, from what he was seeing, that the filly had power. Her muscular legs pumped the turf with few problems and as they moved onwards she showed no signs of tiring. If it weren't for the fact he was riding Mitch might have even smiled, but it was not a good idea. The stories of the PHS rider's incident were still fresh and, amusing as the story was, Mitch had no intention of mimicking the performance.
They passed the post, and Matthias stopped the stopwatch, walking over to the filly and rider. The chestnut equine was lathered in sweat, and obviously in need of a warm-down. "Not bad, Mitch. Three furlongs in 37.60. Looks good, and I'm sure she'll improve with work. Warm her down then let the grooms take care of her." the workout was over, but there would be another session soon.
Due to his low workload, and the amount of work that the chestnut filly would require to help her achieve, Mitch had been asked to be her jockey. Something which had astounded him, as the newest jockey on the team. After all, the filly's lines were legendary. She was the daughter of Merry Bay King - really, one of the all time racing greats and a hugely successful stud. She had siblings whose names even those who didn't follow racing knew. She was his first big chance, and he had no intentions of blowing it. With work, this filly was more than capable of achieving grade one, and he didn't intend to waste any time. Especially when her scheduled return to the turf was quickly approaching.
As Mitch made his way down to the track he grabbed a few sugar cubes from the staff room. Having spent a few hours with her the day before he knew the filly had a fondness for them, and Matthias had explained to him the importance of forming a strong bond with his rides. He was scheduled to meet Matthias, and the bright chestnut fireball, on the track in ten minutes and he was hugely excited about riding her for the first time. His little legend in the making, if he got his way.
When he arrived at the track he moved straight to the filly and stroked her muscular neck, sneaking her the sugar cubes from his pocket before Matthias came over and looked between the young jock and the filly who, at 15.3hh, was below the average height of a thoroughbred. For a second, there seemed to be laughter in the trainers blue eyes, but things soon became serious. As Mitch mounted, Matthias explained the workout they would run today, as a preparation for a further workout before raceday. If Wonder seemed to be happy enough in time, they might even run a third workout with the filly Mizadori, who would also be running in the race that Wonder was scheduled to make her return in.
So, for today, they would be running a mere three furlongs on the turf. They would start in the gates, and Matthias wanted him to push her from beginning to end. To get a grip on her current speed, Matthias had explained, and to avoid straining her too much by throwing her straight into long workouts when she had been away for a while. But it suited Mitch, and his aggressive racing style, to a tee and he just nodded. There were no complaints from him, and so the handlers went about leading the filly to the gates. It took several attempts to get her into the gate due to the speed she was moving at but soon enough she was in and the shutters closed behind them.
Mitch pulled his goggles down, over his eyes, and set his gaze, on the track ahead. His jaw set, he was focussed and ready to prove himself worthy of the ride. As soon as the gates were open, the filly dashed out and Mitch's job began. He drove her hard, with each stride he urged her to go faster. The chestnut filly seemed surprised to be driven so early, but responded eagerly by setting a high pace and fighting to increase her speed. In all honesty, she was tearing up the turf. Her mane flying behind her, and her gallop was beginign to turn from the controlled movement of the racer into a frantic battle charge.
There was no doubt in Mitch's mind, from what he was seeing, that the filly had power. Her muscular legs pumped the turf with few problems and as they moved onwards she showed no signs of tiring. If it weren't for the fact he was riding Mitch might have even smiled, but it was not a good idea. The stories of the PHS rider's incident were still fresh and, amusing as the story was, Mitch had no intention of mimicking the performance.
They passed the post, and Matthias stopped the stopwatch, walking over to the filly and rider. The chestnut equine was lathered in sweat, and obviously in need of a warm-down. "Not bad, Mitch. Three furlongs in 37.60. Looks good, and I'm sure she'll improve with work. Warm her down then let the grooms take care of her." the workout was over, but there would be another session soon.