Post by Snowflake on Jun 17, 2012 21:37:57 GMT -5
VINDICTIVE FURY AND BANK ON GREATNESS WORK FOR THE DUBAI WORLD CUP
This was it. One of the biggest races of their entire careers, the Dubai World Cup. Neither had raced in it before, but this year they'd gone above and beyond when proving their worthiness to run in it. Vindictive Fury had shown what she was really made of, and had won ten of her twelve starts this season. Bank On Greatness had continued to be great, placing out of the top two merely twice, and taking the Dubai Colt Cup in true style three weeks ago, after it had eluded him twice.
The five year old stallion was gunning for a fourth Breeder's Cup win, while Vindictive Fury was hopeful for a second one. The media kept questioning, but in all truth, which race the horses would each run in was still up in the clouds. They didn't want to run more than one horse in any of the races, but it was inevitable. They had so many excellent, eligible horses on both the turf and dirt. This race would practically serve as a tiebreaker. The way these two ran in this race would affect which Breeder's Cup race they ran in. But, never mind that for now.
Looks like there'll be eight horses in the field. Sarah commented, standing in the stirrups while Bank On Greatness cantered. Beside her, on an energetic Vindictive Fury, Marissa replied, I know, I saw the paper this morning. Moondance was scratched. Sarah nodded thoughtfully, wondering if the five year old mare had been injured or just resting up for the BC. Wonder why. Ah well, it's good for us anyway. Now we have just Sillenia, Flashy Wings, Dark Sunrise, Limitless Time, Xalbadora and Mr Hat and Clogs to worry about.
Marissa snorted. Just them? Don't get cocky, Sarah She said, grinning. Sarah also grinned. I'm not! I didn't even mean it like that, biatch. She replied, and they both laughed. But in all seriousness, it's not going to be an easy race. And hey, it's good to know Kisuke's back on the track. Sarah smiled. Mr Hat and Clogs had been with them for nearly two years when they'd sold him. Several weeks later, he was unfortunately injured during a race and had been off the track for months now. It was good to see that he was fit to race again.
Silence fell, and they steadily continued to canter towards the four furlong marker, from which they would gallop today. Both riders considered the race, the competition, and their own mounts. The Dubai World Cup was ten furlongs on dirt, for horses grade three and above. That being said, most of the entrants were grade one. The only three that weren't were two grade threes, Xalbadora and Mr Hat and Clogs, and G2 Limitless Time. As they'd already established, this was Mr Hat and Clog's first start after an injury. He'd drawn gate one, at least, and should have an easy trip.
Xalbadora was in gate two. She hadn't won since February and therefore wasn't being considered a threat. Limitless Time was next. He was back recently after a long hiatus, and had the potential to pull a surprise. Then there was Dark Sunrise, who'd recently changed back to the ownership of Akita Rose Stables, and pulled off a spectacular win over Born To Soar, Vindictive Fury, Moondance and other mares in the Dubai Filly Cup. After that, she was certainly one to watch.
Next was Flashy Wings. He was an excellent colt, but was the youngest in the field which could count against him. Sillenia was in gate seven. A great young mare, although she had not won on dirt in her entire career which led us to wonder if she was really dual surfaced like her owners seemed to think. Then there was Vindictive Fury and Bank On Greatness. Both of them were simply amazing racehorses, and the pair were the favourites to win this race.
The four furlong pole loomed, and the horses burst into gallop eagerly. Vindictive Fury asserted herself in the lead, although Marissa rated her carefully. They weren't racing today, it was just a gallop to work off the high spirits. But you can never be too careful with the mare - she was like a ticking time bomb, and could go off at any moment. Bank On Greatness was happy to run at her flank until the last few furlongs, which was when he made his move. This would be their strategy in the race - Vinny take the lead as always, and Bank On Greatness run in preceder position.
They finished their four furlong gallop confidently. The Dubai World Cup would be one of theirs in a matter of days.. It was nothing short of destiny.
