Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2012 13:14:10 GMT -5
Aquatic Addiction & Alexia Harshing
Theo was not the smartest colt on the block. He never had been. From the time he was young, he had been a little on the slow side. He'd made foolish mistakes and was a bit of a joker. But the team had a lot of love for the colt, and he was much more gentle than the usual stud-types. Many were foolish and believed that because of his softer nature and lack of brain power that Theo lacked a competitive nature, but those who believed that were wrong. He regularly took up challenges, and when he did he always gave it his all.
It was Alexia who had been selected to ride the colt, and she was sure that they would be able to do something together. She had already bonded with him, having spent hours with him since he had arrived. She had watched him grow from a long-legged, somewhat clumsy youngster into a fine young colt and she was sure he had it in him to succeed. She had helped Matthias to pick out his first race and they had both agreed that the Mighty Moose Stakes would be the race for the colt. It ran eight furlongs on the dirt - right in the middle of his preferences - and was his first possible race. So far, there were four entrants and it was set to be an interesting race.
Alexia walked out onto the track and over to the colt, who was stood beside Lucas and Matthias, running her hand down his nose. "Don't you look handsome, all tacked up." she spoke in soft, gentle tones to the colt, who's audits flicked in response to her voice. She turned to look at Lucas, grinned and he nodded. Yes, he had done all the checks and warmed the colt ready for the workout. All she needed to do was run him and he would be ready for race day and his debut, ready to try and make his name known.
After a few words exchanged between the jockey and the trainer, Alexia mounted the bay colt and adjusted the stirrups. She shifted in the saddle, then Lucas started to lead the colt out on to the dirt. The colt's head lifted as they moved onto the track, his eyes bright and alert. All the signs were that the colt was ready for the competition and Alexia was excited about that. If he ran well and got a good result it would give him a boost to perform better in further races.
As they came closer to the gate the colt tensed a little, and Alexia could feel it in his movements beneath her. They became less fluid, more rigid, and he tossed his head slightly. However, he did not fight the process. Lucas was able to lead him to and into the gate without an issue and closed the shutters behind them. He patted the colt's rump, walked away, and the gates opened soon after. Once they did the colt broke slowly which, in a race, would put him exactly where he wanted to be - at the back of the group.
The slow pace was almost leisurely, and the three furlong stretch ahead of them was not moving quickly. Alexia would have panicked, but she knew that the colt was a closer and that this would suit them in a race. She urged him slightly, as she felt the pace was perhaps a little too slow, and he reacted well to her instruction, speeding up as they moved toward the one furlong mark. Again she urged him forwards, and their speed was coming to a point which was just above average as they passed the one furlong mark.
The movement was smooth, the conformation strong. They were powering forwards at a good pace, and the colt seemed to be handling the dirt with ease. His head was held high, his mane streaming behind him. The sun glinted in his eyes, made his dark pelt shine, and he looked glorious. Each movement was purposeful, and it was clear that his mind was focussed on the track and the rest of the workout.
As they came to the two furlong mark, the game was really on. Alexia brought the crop down against the colt's rump. The colt flew forwards, his stride lengthening as he moved powerfully forwards. His hooves churned the dirt as he fought for the final furlong and flew past the post at a huge speed. It was a great moment, and it felt as if they had a good chance for the race.