Post by alicekcrose on Jun 22, 2012 7:07:01 GMT -5
Strictly Royal was one win away from getting to Grade Four – we were so close yet it seemed so far away. The field today would be a tough one – consisting of Carmilla, Heartless Revenge, and a few other good horses. It was nothing we couldn’t beat – we’d beaten them all before in the Winter Cup Grade 5, and I was very confident we could do it again. The colt was in perfect form, and if we could win this, we’d be going to the Breeders Cup. He’d been working well lately, and I knew that he could step up a class and go the extra mile. I wanted him to come into his self in his four year old season. He’d already proved he could beat all these in the Winter Cup – let’s do it again, I say to myself.
In Gate One was the Gelli Aur Filly, Enchantress. She was a three year old, and though she was a good strong filly, she didn’t have much experience in her. She won the Seaspray Cup Grade 5, then placed fifth in both Autumn Cup and Winter Cup Grade 5 Dirt. In Gate Two was the Gelli Aur colt, Lucky Silver. He raced the week before and was bound to be a bit tired from that – and though he was entered in the Juvenile, I was sure that Gelli Aur could get a good run out of him. He’s a strong competitive two-year-old but with lack of experience, we could take him on. In Gate Three was the Gelli Aur Mare, Sand Piper. She had the experience, but without a win since her two-year-old season had set her back. She was a very strong and definitely competitive… but after a poor run in the Autumn Cup Grade Five, she was ready for a good run. In Gate Four, there was the very strong three year old, Heartless Revenge. He started out the year quite poorly, placing 9th in the Red Stakes, but proved himself as a strong contender after winning the Focus Stakes, and placing in the Novizio Derby. The year before, he came a strong 4th in the Unicorn Horn Juvenile.
In Gate Five, there was Carmilla, another representative for Akita Rose. The Night Stalker x Requiem filly was a real danger. She was a head turner, and as a five year old, she’d also gone without a win since age two. We’d also beaten her in the Winter Cup, and I knew with a good workout today, we could also beat her again. She ran a consistent two-year-old season so would that shine through on her second and two fourths in her five year old season? In Gate Six and Seven, there was Crowned Clown and Erin Shore – both Close Racing contenders. Both had experience behind them but they were the greatest runners – and we’d also beaten them both in the Winter Cup. They are both very nice horses, and I knew that with a bit of work, they could be champions – but would today be there day? That’s the line up for the race today. Roy was ready for it, and I knew he was. He was well rested, well worked, and ready to put on a show.
I walked the bold bay colt slowly onto the track. He was calm today. There was no wind, the track was quiet. I'd seen other horses working for this race. Not a surprise, considering the race would be a competitive race. Roy chomped on his snaffle bit, and I pushed him forward into a lively trot. He pricked his ears and flicked his large hooves out. He stood at a nice height, and he was muscled up and ready for his four-year-old season. I asked the colt for a steady canter. He responded well and took it all into his stride. He snorted as he cantered along, bobbing his head and nickering. I stood in my stirrups and began to let him run at the seven furlong pole. He began to extend his stride, but kept it steady, as he would do in a normal race. I began to push him forward a bit more, and he responded. I didn't push him too hard, just enough for him to gallop on at a reasonable pace.
We made our decent round the home turn, and the colt perked his ears and pulled at the bit. I let my hands slip through again and I pushed him forward. He responsed and began to fly rapidly down the home stretch. He perked his ears, before snorting and galloping under the wire. I stood in my stirrups and let him lope along before bringing him back to a trot. I slowed him down and patted him. Good boy, I said to him, patting the bay colts neck. I checked my stopwatch, and we had gone six furlongs in 0:59.2. That was quite a good work. I walked him off, but he wasn't tired. He bobbed his head and snorted loudly. I smiled and patted him again. I dismounted at a walk and lead him off the track. We were going to win this race, whether Carmilla and Heartless Revenge liked it or not.