Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2015 10:25:17 GMT -5
Alexia stared down at the entry list for the Debutante Stakes and shook her head. "She's not going to be a favorite, Tanya. Not by a long way."
"Which doesn't mean she shouldn't be given a chance. That filly has class, we just got spoiled with the likes of Sonja. Don't let her success cloud your vision of what a deserving horse is."
"Watch it, Tanya, I'm in charge here."
"Fair enough. I'll leave. God knows Lucas would prefer to have me riding events for Welbeck Acres anyway."
"No, don't."
"Then don't treat me like a nobody. You want me here, then you listen to my opinions."
"You used to do what Matthias asked."
"Matthias had been training horses a lot longer than you. AND he listened to his jockeys opinions. I want to give Lassy this chance."
"Fine. But don't come crying to me when you lose."
"I'm not that pathetic, Alexia."
The two were right in each other's faces by now, annoyance clear, but were suddenly laughing. They were both strong women, although Tanya had traditionally been the more likely to back down. When she truly believed in something, though, it showed - and she believed that Girl Talk deserved a chance in the classic series. Even though she wasn't the favorite, there was a spark to the filly and if she came into herself at the right point... One upset was all they needed.
"Anyway, let's talk field. Other than Lassy there are four entries so far, and you aren't looking at an easy race. Jazzasoliel will probably be taking the lead looking at the entries, as there are no other front runners. Then it will be you and Impress The Moonlight - who I think will be favorite for the race - followed by Nocturnal Runaway and rounded out by Trinity. Of course things could change between now and race day, but we're dealing with the present situation." Tanya nodded.
"You do realize that's not an impossible situation."
"No, but it isn't an easy one either."
"If I wanted easy, I'd have chosen another career."
"True enough. So you are sure you still want to go ahead with this?"
"More than sure."
The unusual blue roan filly was causing mischief in the barn, having stolen the brush from her groom and was now having great fun lifting it out of his reach every time he got close. She was half-brushed having required a bath when she came in from the pasture where she'd clearly decided that rolling in the mud was a good idea. Her eyes were full of playful glee as she kept moving away from him and eventually another of the staff came over and helped him out, pulling the filly's head down and scratching behind her ear.
"Don't be too long, Alexia and Tanya want her tacked up and at the track shortly." the woman advised. Lassy was licking at the salt on her hands, affectionate and gentle as the groom finished grooming her.
"It's easier when she's distracted."
"We all know that, in future if you are on a deadline come and grab one of us."
The groom nodded, stepping back as he finished off.
"All yours."
Tanya was relaxed in the saddle as the handlers led the filly down to the track, the filly seemingly interested in everything as they passed. She'd picked up a bucket before they'd even left the yard (quickly removed from her) and was determined to scratch her head against every fence post as they passed. The jockey just smiled quietly, though. She might not have been with the filly too long, but she'd learnt a lot about her rides already. Lassy was full of character, and this was just one of her many quirks.
The strongly built filly seemed to become a little more focused as she was led out onto the track, although her dark eyes still swept across the turf with a great curiosity. Racing and the track had never lost their intrigue to Lassy and it was lovely to see her enthusiasm as she realized she would be running shortly. Her ears perked and while she had been following her handlers nicely previously she now seemed eager and attuned. It was a positive change and bar from her scratching her head against the starting contraption as she was loaded she was clearly ready for the workout.
The workout was scheduled over five furlongs - half the distance of the race that they would be running for the first leg of the tiara. The ten furlong race ran at a distance that the filly had been successful over previously and Tanya was hoping that they would be again. There had never been a feeling like bringing an outsider in as the winner, and these races weren't just any races... If they could claim even one leg of the tiara she would have shown that she had not lost her touch.
The gates crashed open as the claxon sounded and Lassy was off, surging out of the gates with a strong stride and an air of confidence. Tanya settled into the rhythm of the four-beat quickly and looked up the turf with a sense of anticipation. This was it, their final preparations. This could be the difference between that upset and failing to perform. But she had faith in herself, she had faith in the filly, and she would not give in to Alexia's doubts.
The filly's pace did not build as quickly as that of a front runner, it was a slower build up and she didn't reach that level until two furlongs had passed. From the stands, the filly was looking good. Each long stride was sure and steady, the certainty which she moved promising. Alexia could see why Tanya wanted to take this chance, she knew she was wrong to try and hold the horse back, but she feared what complete failure could do to the filly's growing confidence.
By three furlongs, they were setting a good time and Tanya started to up the game. She pressed the filly forwards, and Lassy responded instantly with her pace once more starting to build. There were two furlongs remaining, and the jockey planned to make them count. As she drove the filly dug in, finding more and more to give of herself and as the whip cracked for the final furlong she threw herself forwards.
Alexia had never seen the filly run like she was now. She had found a whole new gear and she was giving her all. She didn't slow, didn't hesitate, she just ran. Tanya drove her, pressuring her with consistent movement and it was clear that they were not going to give in easily. There was no doubting that Girl Talk was turning a corner, but was it enough for the Tiara? As the pair thundered past the post, the filly fighting as Tanya tried to slow her, Alexia would not have wanted to bet either way.
"Which doesn't mean she shouldn't be given a chance. That filly has class, we just got spoiled with the likes of Sonja. Don't let her success cloud your vision of what a deserving horse is."
"Watch it, Tanya, I'm in charge here."
"Fair enough. I'll leave. God knows Lucas would prefer to have me riding events for Welbeck Acres anyway."
"No, don't."
"Then don't treat me like a nobody. You want me here, then you listen to my opinions."
"You used to do what Matthias asked."
"Matthias had been training horses a lot longer than you. AND he listened to his jockeys opinions. I want to give Lassy this chance."
"Fine. But don't come crying to me when you lose."
"I'm not that pathetic, Alexia."
The two were right in each other's faces by now, annoyance clear, but were suddenly laughing. They were both strong women, although Tanya had traditionally been the more likely to back down. When she truly believed in something, though, it showed - and she believed that Girl Talk deserved a chance in the classic series. Even though she wasn't the favorite, there was a spark to the filly and if she came into herself at the right point... One upset was all they needed.
"Anyway, let's talk field. Other than Lassy there are four entries so far, and you aren't looking at an easy race. Jazzasoliel will probably be taking the lead looking at the entries, as there are no other front runners. Then it will be you and Impress The Moonlight - who I think will be favorite for the race - followed by Nocturnal Runaway and rounded out by Trinity. Of course things could change between now and race day, but we're dealing with the present situation." Tanya nodded.
"You do realize that's not an impossible situation."
"No, but it isn't an easy one either."
"If I wanted easy, I'd have chosen another career."
"True enough. So you are sure you still want to go ahead with this?"
"More than sure."
The unusual blue roan filly was causing mischief in the barn, having stolen the brush from her groom and was now having great fun lifting it out of his reach every time he got close. She was half-brushed having required a bath when she came in from the pasture where she'd clearly decided that rolling in the mud was a good idea. Her eyes were full of playful glee as she kept moving away from him and eventually another of the staff came over and helped him out, pulling the filly's head down and scratching behind her ear.
"Don't be too long, Alexia and Tanya want her tacked up and at the track shortly." the woman advised. Lassy was licking at the salt on her hands, affectionate and gentle as the groom finished grooming her.
"It's easier when she's distracted."
"We all know that, in future if you are on a deadline come and grab one of us."
The groom nodded, stepping back as he finished off.
"All yours."
Tanya was relaxed in the saddle as the handlers led the filly down to the track, the filly seemingly interested in everything as they passed. She'd picked up a bucket before they'd even left the yard (quickly removed from her) and was determined to scratch her head against every fence post as they passed. The jockey just smiled quietly, though. She might not have been with the filly too long, but she'd learnt a lot about her rides already. Lassy was full of character, and this was just one of her many quirks.
The strongly built filly seemed to become a little more focused as she was led out onto the track, although her dark eyes still swept across the turf with a great curiosity. Racing and the track had never lost their intrigue to Lassy and it was lovely to see her enthusiasm as she realized she would be running shortly. Her ears perked and while she had been following her handlers nicely previously she now seemed eager and attuned. It was a positive change and bar from her scratching her head against the starting contraption as she was loaded she was clearly ready for the workout.
The workout was scheduled over five furlongs - half the distance of the race that they would be running for the first leg of the tiara. The ten furlong race ran at a distance that the filly had been successful over previously and Tanya was hoping that they would be again. There had never been a feeling like bringing an outsider in as the winner, and these races weren't just any races... If they could claim even one leg of the tiara she would have shown that she had not lost her touch.
The gates crashed open as the claxon sounded and Lassy was off, surging out of the gates with a strong stride and an air of confidence. Tanya settled into the rhythm of the four-beat quickly and looked up the turf with a sense of anticipation. This was it, their final preparations. This could be the difference between that upset and failing to perform. But she had faith in herself, she had faith in the filly, and she would not give in to Alexia's doubts.
The filly's pace did not build as quickly as that of a front runner, it was a slower build up and she didn't reach that level until two furlongs had passed. From the stands, the filly was looking good. Each long stride was sure and steady, the certainty which she moved promising. Alexia could see why Tanya wanted to take this chance, she knew she was wrong to try and hold the horse back, but she feared what complete failure could do to the filly's growing confidence.
By three furlongs, they were setting a good time and Tanya started to up the game. She pressed the filly forwards, and Lassy responded instantly with her pace once more starting to build. There were two furlongs remaining, and the jockey planned to make them count. As she drove the filly dug in, finding more and more to give of herself and as the whip cracked for the final furlong she threw herself forwards.
Alexia had never seen the filly run like she was now. She had found a whole new gear and she was giving her all. She didn't slow, didn't hesitate, she just ran. Tanya drove her, pressuring her with consistent movement and it was clear that they were not going to give in easily. There was no doubting that Girl Talk was turning a corner, but was it enough for the Tiara? As the pair thundered past the post, the filly fighting as Tanya tried to slow her, Alexia would not have wanted to bet either way.