Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2012 5:12:25 GMT -5
In recent weeks, Matthias had been increasingly impressed with the three year old colt, Wannabe Hero who had rose from Grade Five into Grade Three by taking the win in every field he had been thrown against. But it was not only the improvements that everyone had been seeing on the tracks that had gotten Matthias really excited. It was the progress that had been occurring in workouts that had really caught his imagination. Hero had been raced once on the turf as a two year old, and had placed third in a field of three despite not being at his best on the surface and since then Matthias had ensured the colt was occasionally worked on the turf to watch his progress. For a while, their had been no real progress but in the last few months the colt had been progressing in leaps and bounds. In fact, Matthias was happy to declare the colt was now equally happy on the turf as he was the dirt and following the unfortunate retirement of Seattle Sun had entered Hero into the Boys' Festival where Sam would have been racing.
The colt was, of course, oblivious to the changes in his career that the improvement would lead to. Even come race day it likely would not affect him as to him any race was worth the effort, and no competition should be backed down to. It was the attitude of a champion, and while Hero was certainly not the best known sprinter on the track Silver Stride Stables were working with him to ensure he became a legend. With Pegasus Wings gone, the title was there for the taking. But everyone wanted that title, and the sprint fields were not easy. Especially when it came to the major races.
This would be Hero's first major turf race, and only his second ever time running on the surface. It meant that it would be more challenging for him and his jockey, Tanya, but they would not be backing down just because the race looked tough. The field, at least, was small. It consisted of only three horses, and that was including Hero. He would be facing up against the four year old front runner, Popcorn Blitz, who had recently been transferred to Witch Creek Stables and another four year old from Dreamvalley Stables who was currently in the care of Star Thoroughbreds, Silver Birch. it was going to be a fast-paced race with a field consisting of two front-runners and a preceder. Silver Birch had the advantage there.
Tanya seemed to be pumped, but that was nothing new. Hero was a colt she loved, he was capable of great things and she swore by his talent at every given chance. She had practically squealed when Matthias had told her of the plan to enter him in the Boy's Festival, she had ran to go and get kitted up for the workout and it was not really surprising that she had arrived at the track before the handlers. She was confident that Hero could do something in this race, and in doing so start to build himself a reputation on the turf, but she also knew that the competition would not be easy and that all three of the horses stood a chance of giving a great performance and taking the win. She talked with Matthias for several minuted before Lucas led the colt out onto the track.
Hero was looking great. He had developed into a fine three year old, his muscle continuing to develop over his frame and his proportions clearly good. He had great conformation, and a strong gait as he moved forwards. Of course, in typical Hero style he was showing his energy levels off as well and had his head held high as he pranced beside the handler. Tanya grinned and moved over to pull herself into the saddle, wrapping her arms around the colt's neck. "Let's show them, Hero. Show them how you run, show them how you shine." Hero's audits swivelled to her tones and while it was probably coincident that the colt tossed his head at that moment she took it as confirmation that the colt was with the plan. She sat up, checked the balance of her stirrups and nodded. Lucas led the colt to the gate and loaded him without fuss.
It was a two furlong work, nothing really, but the team had considered it carefully. They needed to work the colt because it was a major race, but then they also needed to be sure not to overwork him. With five wins in a row he was on fire, he had not lost this year, and he was incredibly sharp. If they wanted him to keep winning they needed to keep him sharp without the heavy workouts which would eventually lead to him being too sharp and start him on a downhill course. So they were running him over a short distance, to maintain form without putting too much pressure on the front runner.
Silence reined as the horse and jockey waited for the gates to open. The colt was, for once, still and the jockey was looking at the short stretch of turf ahead of her. This is going to be good... she thought as she pressed herself closer to the colt's neck and, a moment later, the buzzer sounded as the gates crashed open. Hero was out of the gate like a shot, and pressing forwards at a high speed while Tanya found the beat of his movement and soon found herself matching him.
The distance was closing quickly. Hero's stride was short but powerful and quick. He covered the ground quickly, with precision and strength and he was clearly enjoying the run with his audits pressed forwards and the sheer effort he was putting in to it. Tanya did not drive him, she just allowed him to run, and as they passed the post she was smiling. "I dunno about Wannabe Hero boy, you are a hero..."
The colt was, of course, oblivious to the changes in his career that the improvement would lead to. Even come race day it likely would not affect him as to him any race was worth the effort, and no competition should be backed down to. It was the attitude of a champion, and while Hero was certainly not the best known sprinter on the track Silver Stride Stables were working with him to ensure he became a legend. With Pegasus Wings gone, the title was there for the taking. But everyone wanted that title, and the sprint fields were not easy. Especially when it came to the major races.
This would be Hero's first major turf race, and only his second ever time running on the surface. It meant that it would be more challenging for him and his jockey, Tanya, but they would not be backing down just because the race looked tough. The field, at least, was small. It consisted of only three horses, and that was including Hero. He would be facing up against the four year old front runner, Popcorn Blitz, who had recently been transferred to Witch Creek Stables and another four year old from Dreamvalley Stables who was currently in the care of Star Thoroughbreds, Silver Birch. it was going to be a fast-paced race with a field consisting of two front-runners and a preceder. Silver Birch had the advantage there.
Tanya seemed to be pumped, but that was nothing new. Hero was a colt she loved, he was capable of great things and she swore by his talent at every given chance. She had practically squealed when Matthias had told her of the plan to enter him in the Boy's Festival, she had ran to go and get kitted up for the workout and it was not really surprising that she had arrived at the track before the handlers. She was confident that Hero could do something in this race, and in doing so start to build himself a reputation on the turf, but she also knew that the competition would not be easy and that all three of the horses stood a chance of giving a great performance and taking the win. She talked with Matthias for several minuted before Lucas led the colt out onto the track.
Hero was looking great. He had developed into a fine three year old, his muscle continuing to develop over his frame and his proportions clearly good. He had great conformation, and a strong gait as he moved forwards. Of course, in typical Hero style he was showing his energy levels off as well and had his head held high as he pranced beside the handler. Tanya grinned and moved over to pull herself into the saddle, wrapping her arms around the colt's neck. "Let's show them, Hero. Show them how you run, show them how you shine." Hero's audits swivelled to her tones and while it was probably coincident that the colt tossed his head at that moment she took it as confirmation that the colt was with the plan. She sat up, checked the balance of her stirrups and nodded. Lucas led the colt to the gate and loaded him without fuss.
It was a two furlong work, nothing really, but the team had considered it carefully. They needed to work the colt because it was a major race, but then they also needed to be sure not to overwork him. With five wins in a row he was on fire, he had not lost this year, and he was incredibly sharp. If they wanted him to keep winning they needed to keep him sharp without the heavy workouts which would eventually lead to him being too sharp and start him on a downhill course. So they were running him over a short distance, to maintain form without putting too much pressure on the front runner.
Silence reined as the horse and jockey waited for the gates to open. The colt was, for once, still and the jockey was looking at the short stretch of turf ahead of her. This is going to be good... she thought as she pressed herself closer to the colt's neck and, a moment later, the buzzer sounded as the gates crashed open. Hero was out of the gate like a shot, and pressing forwards at a high speed while Tanya found the beat of his movement and soon found herself matching him.
The distance was closing quickly. Hero's stride was short but powerful and quick. He covered the ground quickly, with precision and strength and he was clearly enjoying the run with his audits pressed forwards and the sheer effort he was putting in to it. Tanya did not drive him, she just allowed him to run, and as they passed the post she was smiling. "I dunno about Wannabe Hero boy, you are a hero..."