Post by Cruisey on Jun 30, 2014 11:52:37 GMT -5
SILVER SERENDIPITY && DEVON BLACKTHORN
REFUTE && TALIA SMITH
FLYING SOLO && JOHNNY GARNER
Halfway through the season brought Firestone to this week’s racing calendar. Glancing down at his race schedule, Carter smiled. The Seashell Cup was on Carter’s hit list this week and he had three horses running in the HOTY races. In the Grade Five, he had newcomer Refute, or Ralph as he was known at the barn, a cool-as-a-cucumber bay colt that has gotten along fantastic at Firestone. Next was Grade Four Silver Serendipity, who was racing in a combined grade four/grade two sprint race due to lack of entries. Demi was a fighter and Carter had no doubts she would try her hardest. The last entry was one of the original strings of Firestone racers, Flying Solo. Solo was a favourite around the barn, especially to Johnny who was his first and only rider with Firestone.
As Carter walked into the barn, the trainer spoke to several handlers and even stopped to pet his own personal favourite boy, Sonny. He had this week off, but will get back into the swing of things in the Seaspray Cup next week. He and Fern were the only ones inside the barn right now because the farrier was stopping by later in the day, but that was the least of Carter’s worries right now.
The three jockeys were waiting for him at the turf track. Since Johnny was riding both Ralph and Solo, Talia took over the ride on Ralph for the workout today since she was one of the more experienced riders. Devon ran his hand across Demi’s muscular gray neck, admiring the power of her legs as she walked. Demi carried herself with pride; a spark in her eye seemed to call for the challenge that awaited her against Royal Assassin. They all mounted their horses with the help of Carter, and he moved to the outside rail.
“What are we running them today, boss?” Johnny called from atop of Solo, who was prancing in excitement.
"Since two of them are sprinters, we are just going 5 furlongs, that way Ralph runs half his distance to save his energy," Carter replied. All three jockeys nodded in unison.
They would be using the gates today, and with the confirming nod from Carter, the grooms lead the horses toward the gates. Talia seemed confident with the colt she was riding for the first time as he quietly loaded himself into the gate. Demi walked just as quietly into the gate and Devon praised her again. Solo didn’t walk so easily in because he was too busy prancing around to settle down and get straight to load in the gate. Johnny just chuckled, not surprised at Solo’s antics. The three jockeys nodded, pulling their goggles over their eyes and prepared themselves for the start ahead, especially Devon.
As soon as the gates opened, the horses bolted from them, almost leaving her jockey behind. She broke quick, clean, and seemed confident in herself as she moved out onto the turf. It was a good thing, and Jacob found himself smiling a little as he found her stride. If she was this confident, and this on the ball, come race day their chances of positive results were high. He was determined to raise those chances, and this workout was the way to do it.
Ralph slowed his pace a little as they drew away from the gates, moving in toward the rail with his head held high and ears pressed forwards. Each stride he took was sure, well placed and he was carrying them as if there was not a care in the world. Solo galloped on confidently behind the younger colt and beside the filly, stalking their every move like the seasoned master he was. Demi’s strides were shorter than Solo’s, but she kept the pace as she slowly inched forwards towards Ralph.
Five furlongs was not exactly a long distance, and soon four furlongs had passed. The jockeys took note of this fact and started to drive their horses hard. There was no great burst of speed by anyone, only the occasional nip on the shoulder from Solo. They all seemed to be handling the turf well, pushing forwards and very soon they had soared past the post, Solo clinching the win as expected with Ralph and Demi not too far behind. It had been a good work, and hopefully that would contribute to a good race this week.
