Post by Snowflake on May 8, 2012 23:47:39 GMT -5
STALKER'S FURY WORKS FOR THE AUGUST MAIDEN TURF
Given her temper, it was hardly surprising the filly hadn't officially won a race yet. She'd actually come in first a few times, but had been knocked back to last place a few times for interfering with other horses during races. Annoyingly enough, it was always just after breaking from the starting gate - she'd break quickly, then someone else would get ahead of her and she'd try to take a chunk out of them. Unfortunately, her behaviour was easy to predict but difficult to prevent. It was amazing that Stalker hadn't been banned from the track. Then again, she had three older siblings who had done some of the same stuff and they'd never been banned either. Just suspended once or twice.
Stalker had had more than a month off since her last race. Purely because there hadn't been any suitable race for her until now. She was due to run in the August Maiden Turf, this coming weekend. It was eight furlongs on turf, and there were four other entrants. Marissa nudged the filly's sides, sending her into a brisk canter. So far, she was behaving well this morning. Then again, it was still dark and they were the only ones on the track, so she had no one to show off for.
Dawn of Silence had drawn gate one. He was a two year old colt from Kacey Hill Racing, and had so far started only twice but had been seen out during morning workouts alot. His most recent result was third. Prince Arthur was a three year old colt from Gelli Aur Stables. He had a good record, and his most recent start had resulted in second, but her hadn't been seen at the track in a while. Runaway Oneleg was in gate three, and was a three year old filly from Prison Hill Stables. She'd most recently placed second. Meester Surprise from Triple Krown Racing was similar to Dawn of Siilence, as he'd only started twice. He'd placed 5th and 10th in those races.
Stalker's Fury decided she'd had enough of being good and kicked up her heels joyfully. Then she pulled like a train, breaking into a choppy gallop. It was only a furlong away from where she'd planned to start the gallop, so Marissa released a bit of rein and allowed Stalker to go all out. They'd stop a furlong earlier than planned too - going from the five furlong pole to the 1 furlong pole instead of breezing from the 4th to the finish.
Stalker stretched out fully, striking out with her front legs and launching herself off of her hinds powerfully. Within a matter of seconds, she was flying along at full speed around the turn. Marissa leaned into the turn strategically with her thoroughbred, then drove her on faster for a final furlong. They flashed by the 1 furlong pole, and Marissa began to attempt to slow her filly down.
Stalker tossed her head in annoyance, not ready to stop yet, but in doing so slowed down a little. Marissa stood in the stirrups, leaning back and firmly tightening the reins. Stalker tried to put her head down and buck but Marissa was ready for it. She did it every time. Finally, the filly gave in and slowed to canter, then trot. The sun was starting to creep over the horizon now. Marissa relaxed a little in the saddle, even leaning forward to rub between the filly's dark ears. That had been fast, but it was nothing compared to what she could do when faced with an opponent. Stalker's Fury was ready as ever to win.
