Can You Hear Me

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Sophie's Voice and Jacob Donovan
Preparation for the Magic Millions Fillies Dirt Sprint

As a prospect, Sophie's Voice had never failed to impress the crowds and had come second in the GFH's Next Top Racehorse series. She had not placed outside of the top two throughout the year and had been named as the best prospect filly for her achievements. When she had made her debut as a racehorse, at two years old, she had wowed the crowds by claiming victory in her first start and had since shown in two major races - first, the Unicorn Horn and then The Wire Finish Cup Juvenile Sprint. As such, she had still not placed outside of the top three and the stable were proud of her.

It had been almost a month since The Wire Finish Cup, and Sophie's Voice was entered into her next race where it was hoped that her performance would improve to claim a place or a win. But the Magic Millions Fillies Dirt Sprint would not be an easy race. In fact, by it's very nature the Magic Millions series was a true challenge and one which the staff at Silver Stride Stables had had their eyes on. It was one of the earliest chances for two year olds to really show their class and class was something that Soph had a lot of.

Jacob and Matthias had earlier had a meeting regarding the field for the race - which currently stood at only three entrants including Soph herself and the chestnut filly had been lucky enough to draw gate one which put her at the rail from the start. The other two entrants were both from Star Thoroughbreds and knowing the quality of horses which came from there they were likely to be tough competition. However, Soph had also been bred at the stable and she certainly had style.

Gate Two would hold War Cry, a chestnut filly who was out of the Grade One mare Strictly Speaking and by the stallion Akuma Battlecry. War Cry had raced only once, in the Stable Face Off, where the front runner had shown herself to be talented but to lack the speed for sprints. Still, with only three runners it was clear why Star Thoroughbreds had taken the risk. As well as the distance being too short, the filly had only ran the previous week and would likely be a little tired as a result.

The other Star Thoroughbreds entrant was another chestnut filly called Dysphoria. She was certainly well bred, but her previous five races had shown a preference for longer distances which likely meant that like her stable-mate she would struggle in the sprint. Unlike Soph and War Cry, Dysphoria was a preceder and so would have that as an advantage. She had also been raced the previous week and might suffer because of it.

Jacob and Matthias had decided that in order to improve the filly's chances they would give her a relaxed workout over two furlongs as despite being well rested she would need her energy for what was sure to be a high-paced race. Still the workout would relieve her of any excess which might cause her to perform badly on the track. After all, they had a lot of hopes for the filly and a positive result here might just be what they needed to get her confidence up.

The sharp-minded filly had already learned exactly what it meant when Lucas came to her stall with her tack - it meant that she was going for a run. Either she would run alone, or she would run a race but it was always one or the other. The rest of the time it was the grooms who took care of her, or Matthias and his young assistant. It was because of the fact that she knew why he was here that she was so alert when she saw him - it seemed like forever since she had been for a run!

She walked well beside the handler, her eyes bright and audits pressed forwards as they made their way toward the track. Once, she halted and let out a call to Cryin' Out Loud. The stallion had recently been purchased in a rescue auction and had proved to be a good buy since all of his first batch had broken their maidens already. Soph was one of those, but she had no way to know that the stallion was her father. The calm stud rose his head and looked over the field before returning to grazing and after a few moments the vocal filly once again moved on when asked to by the handler.

When they reached the track, Jacob was already there and he moved over to the handler and filly. He thanked the brother of his long-deceased love and greeted the filly warmly. Soph bumped her head against his shoulder and nickered, showing her appreciation for his greeting, and then Jacob mounted. As they were not planning on using the gates Lucas led them to the two furlong mark, the filly now pulling against the rein to get started, and then released his grip.

Soph flew forwards, her legs unfurling quickly beneath her as she moved swiftly from walk and into a gallop. She was a flashy filly, her chestnut coat marked in chrome and this was never more stunning than when she galloped. Of course, the dust kicked up from the dry dirt would soon change them to a muddy color but for the first furlong she looked absolutely stunning.

Her strides were short, but precise and quick as she moved up the short stretch and her pace quickly built to something impressive - just like it would in the race. Jacob pulled her back a little, not wanting her to dash off too quickly and then allowed her to maintain a pace which was still quick but was not neck-breaking either. Soph seemed to relax into the pace after a few strides, and Jake patted her muscular neck softly. It was always nice when the filly listened to what he asked of her.

They moved together, relaxed and enjoying the moment. To watch them, you might have thought it was just a horse and rider taking a gallop for the fun of it. It was how it felt for the jockey, too, who was used to tough workouts where they were pushing for speed and fighting to improve. Still, he appreciated it and knew that it would do the filly good anyway.

The distance passed quickly... Too quickly. it barely felt like it had begun when they passed the post and the workout was over. Jacob pulled the filly down from her gallop and found himself looking forward to the race.