Post by Deleted on May 28, 2012 3:20:41 GMT -5
She was the best two year old filly on the track right now. She was a superstar in the making. Even if she had fewer points on the leaderboard than the Star Thoroughbeds filly, Spitting Image, Paradise Island was the best. She had more wins, two of them being in major races, and even though she had fewer second places she had incredible consistency. She was well known, and she had been marked as one of the ones to beat for the Tripe Tiara the following year. Sonja was not incapable of achieving great things. She had already started, and the path before her was starting to map itself out. Tanya had it drawn out in her mind, but she knew that things needed to be taken step by step.
The first major step was the Just A Trot Futurity. The previous year, this had been won by Dark Charmer. This year, Sonja had a strong chance at success. The next step would be the Gallop To The Gallows Stakes, and finally the Youth Challenge. It was possible, of course, to match that into one major step. Tanya Stratt was aiming to win all three legs of the Youth Challenge. Of course, it was not only that. Tanya Stratt was aiming for many great things. But one small step at a time.
The bay filly was a marvel, built from solid bone, powerful muscle and a sleek dark brown coat. Her mane fell gracefully over her face and neck, and beauty seemed to radiate from her. But Sonja was not one of those fillies who showed off. She did not have extravagent movement or some desire to have everybody's attention one hundred percent of the time. She was temperamental, flicking between a gentle and friendly creature to a true nightmare when her moods changed, but she was not an attention hog. As long as she got to run, and to see her best friend, she tended to be happy.
Sonja was in good shape, and she needed to be kept that way, so Tanya had arranged a workout. She was determined that they would be the best. Step by step they drew closer to the track, the filly calm enough as they moved toward her stadium. Tanya, already mounted, patted the filly's muscular neck and a smile played across pale features. This work was one of many she had planned, and she would not be going easily on anybody. After all, the best had no mercy and their competitive drives were somewhere in orbit. Everything revolved around the track, it was no lie.
Gating was a simple matter. The filly was eager, she boxed well and without fuss. Her audits flicked, her eyes glistening intently as she waited for them to open. The filly would run well, and she would show the world just what she was made of. She had no doubt. As the gates opened on the two-furlong stretch Tanya knew exactly what she needed to do. Push, and push hard, to get the best time they could. This exercise was about improving speed. It was a favourite of trainers world-wide, and there was a reason. It gave results.
Sonja broke quickly, and Tanya pushed her forwards instantly. Driving her hard. She had brought no whip - there was no need for the workout - and the filly was responsive to commands. In this mood, she always was. She pushed forwards as she fought. She shared a wavelength with they jockey which was powerful, formed through the bond the pair had built over the months that they had worked together. Sonja was willing to battle for Tanya, and it applied the other way around as well. There was no denying their love for one another.
Powerful legs moved quickly beneath them, flints churning the dirt as they moved forwards. The filly was a machine, she was built to race and when she ran it was a proficient movement. She was doing exactly what every fibre of her being longed to, and as her mane and tail few behind her she enjoyed to just run. Tanya drove her, and she ran harder. The two furlongs were over all too quickly, their speed perhaps a fraction over what they had achieved the last time they had made this run, but any improvement was better than none.
The first major step was the Just A Trot Futurity. The previous year, this had been won by Dark Charmer. This year, Sonja had a strong chance at success. The next step would be the Gallop To The Gallows Stakes, and finally the Youth Challenge. It was possible, of course, to match that into one major step. Tanya Stratt was aiming to win all three legs of the Youth Challenge. Of course, it was not only that. Tanya Stratt was aiming for many great things. But one small step at a time.
The bay filly was a marvel, built from solid bone, powerful muscle and a sleek dark brown coat. Her mane fell gracefully over her face and neck, and beauty seemed to radiate from her. But Sonja was not one of those fillies who showed off. She did not have extravagent movement or some desire to have everybody's attention one hundred percent of the time. She was temperamental, flicking between a gentle and friendly creature to a true nightmare when her moods changed, but she was not an attention hog. As long as she got to run, and to see her best friend, she tended to be happy.
Sonja was in good shape, and she needed to be kept that way, so Tanya had arranged a workout. She was determined that they would be the best. Step by step they drew closer to the track, the filly calm enough as they moved toward her stadium. Tanya, already mounted, patted the filly's muscular neck and a smile played across pale features. This work was one of many she had planned, and she would not be going easily on anybody. After all, the best had no mercy and their competitive drives were somewhere in orbit. Everything revolved around the track, it was no lie.
Gating was a simple matter. The filly was eager, she boxed well and without fuss. Her audits flicked, her eyes glistening intently as she waited for them to open. The filly would run well, and she would show the world just what she was made of. She had no doubt. As the gates opened on the two-furlong stretch Tanya knew exactly what she needed to do. Push, and push hard, to get the best time they could. This exercise was about improving speed. It was a favourite of trainers world-wide, and there was a reason. It gave results.
Sonja broke quickly, and Tanya pushed her forwards instantly. Driving her hard. She had brought no whip - there was no need for the workout - and the filly was responsive to commands. In this mood, she always was. She pushed forwards as she fought. She shared a wavelength with they jockey which was powerful, formed through the bond the pair had built over the months that they had worked together. Sonja was willing to battle for Tanya, and it applied the other way around as well. There was no denying their love for one another.
Powerful legs moved quickly beneath them, flints churning the dirt as they moved forwards. The filly was a machine, she was built to race and when she ran it was a proficient movement. She was doing exactly what every fibre of her being longed to, and as her mane and tail few behind her she enjoyed to just run. Tanya drove her, and she ran harder. The two furlongs were over all too quickly, their speed perhaps a fraction over what they had achieved the last time they had made this run, but any improvement was better than none.