The New Era (Y14 WORKOUTS)

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^{THE NEW ERA}

<sup>It was time for the new batch of two year olds to take to the track at the start of the new season, and everybody at In Stride Racing was excited but nervous for what everyone of there fillies and colts had to offer. After Evie Stringer had left the team after she fell pregnant and decided to not return, new nineteen year old apprentice jockey, Erin Taylor would join the team with her new mount, Eavesdropper. There were several maiden races for them all this week and it meant it would be new and exciting for all jockeys and Jacey Leigh Lanning, the trainer, and her now nine year old daughter, Amira. It was the start of something new and after failing to win a Breeders' Cup race this year, they were really upset and they hoped this year they would turn the tables.

Eavesdropper and Impress The Moonlight had been entered in the Stormy Night series. Imogen would race over twelve furlongs over dirt, the usual classic distance if she was going to take on the crown next year - and Eavesdropper was going over 12 furlongs on the turf. They had a newcomer this season, a two year old colt named Tell Tale Signs - also known as Theo. The colt had never raced before but had trained over in England before travelling overseas after being purchased from an auction. Even though the colt had never raced, Jacey was hoping that he could do really well in his race. He was entered in the Akita Rose Newcomers series in the Mighty Moose Stakes, with Erin Taylor on board. Finally, there was Lunar Eclipse. The filly had been lightly raced in her prospect season. She was a good looker and she would be racing over eight furlongs on the turf in the Flipping Frog Stakes.</sup>

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^{MAKE AN IMPRESSION}

<sup>Impress The Moonlight was first to take to the track. She stood tall, her ears pricking. She was a very bighearted filly and she had quite a bit of competition in her first ever race. She was hoping that an incredibly good prospect season wouldn't mean that she did really bad in her two year old season. The filly was just like her parents, a classic show-off. Everyone had eyes on this filly because they knew that she was capable of great things. She was very sure-footed and her vet check had proved that. She would never go lame and she had a lot more than average strength for her age. She was a perfect filly that wouldn't let go, no matter how hard she tried. She was going to be breezing four furlongs over the dirt today, in preparation for her race. She would start in Gate One.

Starting in Gate Two was the two year old filly, Calypso's Fury. The filly was sired by Triple Crown winner, Furious Passion and out of Silver Tide. She never really did well in prospect shows, grabbing a couple of thirds but this filly was a threat and she was not going down without a fight. She raced as a closer, meaning she'd be towards the back of the pack. Imogen chomped on her bit and nickered as she walked elegantly across the surface of the dirt. "Good girl Imogen," Ivana said, letting the leather reins sit in her hands. She stroked the fillys dark neck and watched as the steam leaked from her nose as she took deep breaths.

Starting in Gate Three was the most beautiful and elegant filly Witch Creek had ever seen - Saintly Touch. This filly was immaculate and if anyone was going to try and take her down, it would be her. The filly was sired by the honorable stallion, Night Stalker, and was out of champion mare, The Devil's Touch. If anything, this filly would mow the field down come race day but Imogen wouldn't let her get away that fast. She ran mid-pack of the field meaning Imogen would be forced to lead if there wasn't any other front runner, but Ivana's training tactics meant she'd be able to run comfortably at the front without tearing off at high speeds. Jacey stood at the rail, watching as Imogen gracefully covered the surface. Ivana squeezed her sides and she broke into a trot. The fillys long and elegant stride covered the dirt beneath her faster than ever.

Trotting the filly round the bend, Ivana gathered the grip on her reins and she asked for canter. The filly broke into a perfect canter effortlessly. It was amazing. Ivana stood in the stirrups and as they approached the five furlong mark, she began to slow her down. The big metal gates approached and Imogen looked ahead, not even fazed one bit by everything that was cracking off around her. Horses were galloping past, and she stood there, looking around with her big ears flickering back and forth. The person at the gate walked over and she walked in. The gates slammed behind her and she didn't care. She was practically bomb proof. As the bell rang, Ivana gripped the mane and urged the filly. She broke clean and fast and Ivana stood in the stirrups.

Imogen glided along the dirt, one thousand kilos of weight was being thrown onto one tiny fetlock but that weight made a whole lot of difference. She galloped effortlessly and quickly and Ivana clicked her on "Come on Imogen, let's go make you a champion," she said, biting her lip so hard as they came into the home stretch that she made it bleed. She grinned and pushed her on, covering the final two furlongs in 20 and 4/5ths. She crossed the line and pulled the filly up and slowed her down. She came back down the paces and tossed her mane.

Whinnying, Imogen shook her head and they cooled off before walking back to Jacey. Jacey gasped, "Look at her, she's not even broke into a sweat." Ivana smiled. "It's even better when you're on her. She's the most amazing two year old filly I've ever ridden." Jacey laughed at her, "Well let's see how she does on race day. She's got some tough competition but I think next years Triple Crown looks likely for her, don't you?" Ivana grinned. "Definitely. She's got the potential," she said as she dismounted. Imogen sniffed in Ivana's pocked and using her teeth she unzipped it. Looking at Jacey, Ivana said, "Well, I think she knows she's done a good job." One by one the filly began to munch on the mints that were inside Ivana's pocket. Jacey began to laugh and Imogen tossed her head and nickered. That was definitely a workout to remember.</sup>

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^{RAVE THIS WAY}

<sup>The big elegant colt, Rave, stepped on to the soft turf. He held his head high, kept his ears perked and released a snort. Erin allowed him to look around for a second to get used to it... which was stupid as he was a racehorse. He was definitely the biggest horse Erin had ridden in a long time. The colt was muscular, in shape, and with a couple of great works, he'd be well on the way to success in this race – the Stormy Night Maiden Turf. The colt shifted his weight and Erin slowly eased him forward. He'd never had Erin on board. Erin grinned and squeezed him into an elegant trot. He had a much longer stride. He lowered his head and tucked it in, flicking his toes out as he took the advantage to show off.

Erin giggled slightly and stood up in her stirrups as he broke into a steady canter. His canter was smooth and he lifted his knees high. He definately had a good stride. Erin squeezed him forward a little more until the canter was now a steady gallop. He carried his head the same, beautiful and elegant. Erin felt him change his leads instantly as they entered the corner. As they entered the home stretch, Erin brought him back to a steady trot, then walk. They continued to walk until they got to the starting pole at the mile and an eighth post, which was slightly shorter than the race itself. They took hold of the rein and began to walk Rave in.

His ears perked up and he slowed. Erin gave him a little squeeze and he went back in. Good boy, Rave. Erin took the crop out her belt and semi leaned forward, ready for the break. Briiiinggg. The bell. The gates burst open and Rave leapt out, hogging the rail. Erin stood up and let the colt go. He kicked turf up behind him and he snorted. It was like he knew he was racing now. On board, we were about to go round the clubhouse turn. They hogged the rail and Erin kept him at a steady gallop, nothing to intense just yet. With each stride, Rave would snort. Racing was in his family, and he loved the turf.

As they entered the back stretch, Rave stretched out even more. Surely they couldn't keep this up, but Rave’s stamina was more than Erin expected. Erin niggled Rave a little more, and received an instant response. He picked up the pace almost instantly and we were gaining on our grey. Coming round the home turn, I showed the colt the whip, moved him to the outside. I was hand riding him. Erin began to fully urge, and Rave pricked his ears and off he went, powering over the turf. They came into the final furlong and as he crossed the wire, Erin relaxed and stood high in her stirrups, patting Raves neck. They crossed the line and Erin grinned. "You got it boy. Let's go kick some butt." Erin smiled and patted the muscular black colts neck.</sup>