Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2013 6:54:35 GMT -5
Jack could tell that Lillith was pleased as he paraded the chestnut filly, their latest addition to their string, before her. Their agent had called about a week previously telling them that he had a great new horse for them and he hadn't been lying. Having broken her maiden, Secret's Surprise was now ready to start hitting the bigger races and building a name for herself. She was a little green behind the ears, having only raced twice, but this juvenile definitely showed potential. Lillith nodded and Jack pulled Ruby to a halt while the trainer continued her inspection, unable to hide the smile which was growing on her features. "She's wonderful."
Jack nodded, patting the filly's neck. "Aye, I reckon she'll do good wi' a bit o' trainin' under 'er." he confirmed. "Not t' mention tha' she'll get a more in depth programme at a small operation like ours." Lillith laughed slightly. The man had a point, although it wasn't all training that made a great horse. Their temperament and heart had a lot to do with it, and she just had to hope this filly had it - something which would be tested soon enough. As soon as Vinny arrived they would be putting her through her paces and then at the end of the week she would make her first start for them.
Lillith had to be honest in the fact that she was nervous about the race. Ruby's record showed that she'd only made two starts and so the Azalea Cup was perhaps a little on the ambitious side. But with only two other entries the experience would be good for the filly, especially considering that she suspected the race was a little on the short side for the horse starting in gate three, Voodoo Doll of Star Thoroughbreds. Prima Donna, on the other hand, loved this distance and had eight strong starts to her record.
When Vinny arrived he flashed a grin at his co-workers and smoothed down his new silks - their new colours. "What d'ya think?" he asked, spinning on the spot and Lillith nodded approvingly. "Very smart, but we have more pressing things to do than admiring you." she told him, winking. "This stunning filly is Ruby, and as of today she is your latest new ride." The jockey eyed up the chestnut and looked back to Lillith. "Awesome. So what's the plan?" Ready to go as ever the jockey had already moved over to the filly and was pulling himself into the saddle.
"We're just going to do a two furlong gallop. It gives you a chance to get to know her, and her you, which is important as you're racing at the end of this week." Vincent opened his mouth to reply but then shut it, nodding. Fair enough, he felt the turn-around was a little quick but was also aware that Lillith was not one for messing around. If she felt that this was the best course of action he was not about to argue that fact.
After a quick warm up Jack led the filly and jockey pair out onto the track and to the three furlong mark. Vinny would do a light gallop to the two furlong marker and then push the filly out to see what she had under the belt. With any luck, they would not fail to impress, and with the knowledge that she had ran as a closer in the past - something which Jack had filled him in on during their walk onto the track - he was sure she would have one hell of a show to give.
She broke slowly when Jack released his grip, but that was half expected as she began the more relaxed part of the workout and Vinny allowed himself to get a feel for her movement. Long, loping strides carried them forwards, her head held naturally as she moved onwards. She felt like a much more experienced horse than her records suggested and as the two furlong mark came into view the jockey could feel his excitement building. What could this filly give? He was eager to find out.
He pressed her forwards and she responded eagerly, her audits flicking across her skull as her speed built quickly. It was as if all of a sudden her life depended on this run, his whip not even coming into play as she stormed forwards with clear intent. Even without competition to fuel her it was clear this filly had an awful lot of potential and as they came to the one furlong mark he cracked the crop, curious, to be greeted with another quick, surging boost of speed.
That furlong was quick, the filly beneath him pressing forwards as he drive. Air which had been still whipped at his face and a frown burrowed his brow as he threw his weight behind her, urging what he could out of her until they sped past the post at which point it became clear that slowing her down again would be the issue. He pulled her back slowly and when eventually she did stop he looked up toward the stands. Lillith threw his a thumbs up and he smiled. Maybe, just maybe, Lillith had been right. Maybe Ruby really was ready for this.
Jack nodded, patting the filly's neck. "Aye, I reckon she'll do good wi' a bit o' trainin' under 'er." he confirmed. "Not t' mention tha' she'll get a more in depth programme at a small operation like ours." Lillith laughed slightly. The man had a point, although it wasn't all training that made a great horse. Their temperament and heart had a lot to do with it, and she just had to hope this filly had it - something which would be tested soon enough. As soon as Vinny arrived they would be putting her through her paces and then at the end of the week she would make her first start for them.
Lillith had to be honest in the fact that she was nervous about the race. Ruby's record showed that she'd only made two starts and so the Azalea Cup was perhaps a little on the ambitious side. But with only two other entries the experience would be good for the filly, especially considering that she suspected the race was a little on the short side for the horse starting in gate three, Voodoo Doll of Star Thoroughbreds. Prima Donna, on the other hand, loved this distance and had eight strong starts to her record.
When Vinny arrived he flashed a grin at his co-workers and smoothed down his new silks - their new colours. "What d'ya think?" he asked, spinning on the spot and Lillith nodded approvingly. "Very smart, but we have more pressing things to do than admiring you." she told him, winking. "This stunning filly is Ruby, and as of today she is your latest new ride." The jockey eyed up the chestnut and looked back to Lillith. "Awesome. So what's the plan?" Ready to go as ever the jockey had already moved over to the filly and was pulling himself into the saddle.
"We're just going to do a two furlong gallop. It gives you a chance to get to know her, and her you, which is important as you're racing at the end of this week." Vincent opened his mouth to reply but then shut it, nodding. Fair enough, he felt the turn-around was a little quick but was also aware that Lillith was not one for messing around. If she felt that this was the best course of action he was not about to argue that fact.
After a quick warm up Jack led the filly and jockey pair out onto the track and to the three furlong mark. Vinny would do a light gallop to the two furlong marker and then push the filly out to see what she had under the belt. With any luck, they would not fail to impress, and with the knowledge that she had ran as a closer in the past - something which Jack had filled him in on during their walk onto the track - he was sure she would have one hell of a show to give.
She broke slowly when Jack released his grip, but that was half expected as she began the more relaxed part of the workout and Vinny allowed himself to get a feel for her movement. Long, loping strides carried them forwards, her head held naturally as she moved onwards. She felt like a much more experienced horse than her records suggested and as the two furlong mark came into view the jockey could feel his excitement building. What could this filly give? He was eager to find out.
He pressed her forwards and she responded eagerly, her audits flicking across her skull as her speed built quickly. It was as if all of a sudden her life depended on this run, his whip not even coming into play as she stormed forwards with clear intent. Even without competition to fuel her it was clear this filly had an awful lot of potential and as they came to the one furlong mark he cracked the crop, curious, to be greeted with another quick, surging boost of speed.
That furlong was quick, the filly beneath him pressing forwards as he drive. Air which had been still whipped at his face and a frown burrowed his brow as he threw his weight behind her, urging what he could out of her until they sped past the post at which point it became clear that slowing her down again would be the issue. He pulled her back slowly and when eventually she did stop he looked up toward the stands. Lillith threw his a thumbs up and he smiled. Maybe, just maybe, Lillith had been right. Maybe Ruby really was ready for this.