melbourne madness

[S u N f r O s t ~]

WILDLY NATURAL AND AMBER BLACK
SILLENIA AND KRYSTAL YHATE

TURA'S AND SILL'S WORKOUT FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP

The elite turf season was underway, and none were working harder than Wildly Natural, Sillenia and their respective jockeys. Both mares were coming off of recent wins in the Winter Cup and were full of it today. That had merely been last week, and it was now the first week of November, but these experienced mares bounced right back as they had been conditioned to be. Krystal and Sillenia were especially eager to work out today, having just achieved the acclaimed title of grade one. They were coming in hot to the Melbourne Cup, which could prove to be another showdown between the top turf horses of the current time. Right now they were facing Destined For Glory, Prize Me Proud and Executioner's Apprentice with some as-of-yet undeclared entrants from Star Thoroughbreds, surely. The competition was tough, and both riders wanted this win.

Tura had been on fire this year. She had reached thirty career wins and was still achieving, having won the Rising Fury Memorial Stakes, Full Moon Derby and the Dream Cup among a total of eight wins in thirteen starts so far. Sill was also having a good season, with a surprise win in the Little Miss Innocent Memorial Stakes a couple weeks back bolstering her record of five victories this season. Sill was being worked especially hard due to her dual surface tendencies, but was responding well to the high workload and taking it in stride. Krystal had lovingly conditioned the mare for many years to reach where they were now, and the end result was glorious. They had won the Juvenile Turf two years ago and the Filly and Mare Turf last year at the Breeders Cup championships. Last year they had gotten an encouragement award for their efforts. Tura had also received an encouragement award, but had earned multiple honors for the two years prior. She was the current turf superstar of the stable, and Sill was expected to take her place next year.

The two mares often prepped together for the turf races, and cantered side by side with barely contained competitiveness tinting the aura of the air. They had each beaten the other in races, Tura more than Sill, and this had created a competitive fire between them. Both mares functioned as closers, and they usually ended up working together during races to chase down the field. In reality, they were usually just trying to beat the other in as humiliating a way as possible. It was a thing between them, this rivalry, and it had formed through partnership. Though there was a different edge to this one compared to others - there was a hint of fondness, as though acknowledging old friends or paddock mates. It was not a rivalry fueled by hatred but by mutual competitiveness, but of a friendly sort.

Their warm up went quickly, and the mares were soon breezed. Side by side they traveled the length of the track. The Melbourne was ten furlongs on the turf, and a long workout was not needed to prepare for it. The mares were conditioned enough. So they galloped for about six furlongs before calling it a day and pulling up. The mares responded easily, dropping the pace, with energy still dripping from every step. Sill actually tried to bolt a little bit, but Krystal managed to hold her back. The mares were full of energy and ready to face their competition. Hopefully a victory would come back with one of them, and in a most spectacular fashion, too.