Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2015 16:44:49 GMT -5
It was early days for Sylvanite with Riverview Acres but she had already made a positive impression on her jockey - although that was probably an understatement. Due to the smaller number of horses, the staff were able to spend more time with each individual horse and Sylv's sweet, outgoing personality didn't need much time to find a place in your heart.
The bay filly nuzzled at the handler as he led her across the yard, her eyes bright as she lifted her head once more to look ahead of her. She had developed nicely, although still had a little time before she fully grew into her frame. Her movement was smooth, although their was a determined edge to her behavior as they headed for the practice track and several times she yanked the handler forwards. Behind her, Alexia and Lucy walked side by side. The pair were roughly the same height, but that was where the similarities ended - where Alexia's features were soft, Lucy had a more sharply refined face and the dark hair which fell around her face was almost black compared to Alexia's blonde curls. The two got on well though, and both felt that them working together could lead to good things.
Alexia glanced at the entrants for the filly's race, shrugged and put the paper into her back pocket. "There isn't much I can say on this field. The entrants are all juveniles, so there's no issue with more mature horses. These early races are the hardest to make an impression in - even Sonja struggled to start with and you know what a monster she turned out to be - so just go out there and run. Don't worry about winning, let Sylv get a feel for the track and if you do win... Well, it's just a bonus, isn't it?" She was not a pushy trainer, feeling that too much pressure often put a negative influence on a jockey's performance, and she trusted her jockeys to do the right thing.
They were soon at the track, the gentle filly brought to a standstill and she stood calmly. At this point, many juveniles would be kicking up a fuss, but Sylv wasn't just any two-year-old... Her nature was one of the things which had drawn Alexia in the sales and so far she had not disappointed. Lucy walked up to the filly and with a helping hand from Alexia was soon in the saddle. Sylv lifted her head slightly, her ears twisting as the jockey's weight settled on her back and scratched a little at the earth.
"You two look stunning, I'm sure you'll do well. The handlers already did a warm-up jog with her so she's pretty much ready to go. I would say a two furlong gallop with a furlong blow-out at the end - we need to make sure she is ready for that final stretch on race day." Lucy listened quietly, smiled and nodded. "That sounds like a solid plan."
Sylv was placid as the handler walked her across the track, starting her around a horse-width from the rail. This was not a horse which would run on the rail in a race for fear of getting trapped behind other racers. Lucy rubbed the filly's neck, checked her stirrups a final time, took a long breath and took up the reins. This was it, the final workout before the big debut.
The handler released his grip on the filly, Lucy gave her the signal, and the bay was off with strong, steady strides. It was not a flying start, this horse certainly wasn't going to be taking the lead in a race, but it wasn't a weak start. Sylv's movement was just what it needed to be and already Lucy could imagine a field forming ahead of them, the bay calm in the rear as they entered the early stages of the race. But she pushed the image away, determined to focus on the now.
The four-beat was steady, Sylv quite content to just run. She was an easy ride in this respect - she didn't snatch at the rein or try to run away with you but sat at a nice pace without the fuss. But anyone watching could tell she hadn't lost focus, too. Her ears were forwards, her eyes bright and her movement purposeful. She was just relaxed and happy with how things were.
The two furlongs went nicely, with Lucy encouraging a little more speed throughout the second to prepare the filly for the final blowout and as the marker approached she shifted her grip on the rein, crouched that bit closer to the filly's neck and drove on. Sylv barely needed the driving, the change in her jockey sign enough that things were coming to a close. Her acceleration was alarming, the filly suddenly surging forwards with the power and determination so typical of thoroughbreds. Here she would pass the field, she would fight to take the lead. There were no doubts this filly was race-worthy and as they sped past the post the jockey was smiling to herself. Yes, this was it. They were ready.
The bay filly nuzzled at the handler as he led her across the yard, her eyes bright as she lifted her head once more to look ahead of her. She had developed nicely, although still had a little time before she fully grew into her frame. Her movement was smooth, although their was a determined edge to her behavior as they headed for the practice track and several times she yanked the handler forwards. Behind her, Alexia and Lucy walked side by side. The pair were roughly the same height, but that was where the similarities ended - where Alexia's features were soft, Lucy had a more sharply refined face and the dark hair which fell around her face was almost black compared to Alexia's blonde curls. The two got on well though, and both felt that them working together could lead to good things.
Alexia glanced at the entrants for the filly's race, shrugged and put the paper into her back pocket. "There isn't much I can say on this field. The entrants are all juveniles, so there's no issue with more mature horses. These early races are the hardest to make an impression in - even Sonja struggled to start with and you know what a monster she turned out to be - so just go out there and run. Don't worry about winning, let Sylv get a feel for the track and if you do win... Well, it's just a bonus, isn't it?" She was not a pushy trainer, feeling that too much pressure often put a negative influence on a jockey's performance, and she trusted her jockeys to do the right thing.
They were soon at the track, the gentle filly brought to a standstill and she stood calmly. At this point, many juveniles would be kicking up a fuss, but Sylv wasn't just any two-year-old... Her nature was one of the things which had drawn Alexia in the sales and so far she had not disappointed. Lucy walked up to the filly and with a helping hand from Alexia was soon in the saddle. Sylv lifted her head slightly, her ears twisting as the jockey's weight settled on her back and scratched a little at the earth.
"You two look stunning, I'm sure you'll do well. The handlers already did a warm-up jog with her so she's pretty much ready to go. I would say a two furlong gallop with a furlong blow-out at the end - we need to make sure she is ready for that final stretch on race day." Lucy listened quietly, smiled and nodded. "That sounds like a solid plan."
Sylv was placid as the handler walked her across the track, starting her around a horse-width from the rail. This was not a horse which would run on the rail in a race for fear of getting trapped behind other racers. Lucy rubbed the filly's neck, checked her stirrups a final time, took a long breath and took up the reins. This was it, the final workout before the big debut.
The handler released his grip on the filly, Lucy gave her the signal, and the bay was off with strong, steady strides. It was not a flying start, this horse certainly wasn't going to be taking the lead in a race, but it wasn't a weak start. Sylv's movement was just what it needed to be and already Lucy could imagine a field forming ahead of them, the bay calm in the rear as they entered the early stages of the race. But she pushed the image away, determined to focus on the now.
The four-beat was steady, Sylv quite content to just run. She was an easy ride in this respect - she didn't snatch at the rein or try to run away with you but sat at a nice pace without the fuss. But anyone watching could tell she hadn't lost focus, too. Her ears were forwards, her eyes bright and her movement purposeful. She was just relaxed and happy with how things were.
The two furlongs went nicely, with Lucy encouraging a little more speed throughout the second to prepare the filly for the final blowout and as the marker approached she shifted her grip on the rein, crouched that bit closer to the filly's neck and drove on. Sylv barely needed the driving, the change in her jockey sign enough that things were coming to a close. Her acceleration was alarming, the filly suddenly surging forwards with the power and determination so typical of thoroughbreds. Here she would pass the field, she would fight to take the lead. There were no doubts this filly was race-worthy and as they sped past the post the jockey was smiling to herself. Yes, this was it. They were ready.