Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2015 13:14:43 GMT -5
Lassy had not performed as well as Tanya might have liked in the Debutante Stakes, struggling to hold her own against some of the best three year old turf fillies around, but the jockey wasn't about to give up. She had a goal, a need to prove both herself and the filly, and she wasn't about to give that up. So Alexia had (somewhat grudgingly) entered the pair into the next race of the Tiara - the Cotillion Stakes. The race was over nine furlongs, thankfully a distance at which she had already proven herself. The problem seemed to be the competition.
The trainer glanced down the entry sheet, tutting quietly to herself as she did. It was no surprise that the winner of the first leg, Impress The Moonlight, was yet again entered. The daughter of Impressario had given a flashy show in the Debutante and was quite the impressive racer if you looked over her record - a stalker who seemed more than talented at snatching those victories. Trinity, of Stride Of Perfection Stables, was a closer that had snagged third in the previous race and a strong contender. Nocturnal Runaway, a filly from Witch Creek Stables, was another looking to snag an upset, and had placed just above them in the last race. The mid pack filly had been looking good lately, and definitely had the talent to go further. Lissome was another stalker, racing in intrepid colors with an impressive record - she had placed second in the previous race, and was probably the most likely to upset Impress The Moonlight's attempt in Tanya's opinion. Finally, Jazzasoliel of Nature Blue Stables rounded off the field in what pretty much reflected the entries for the first. She was the only horse (at least going from past races) which was likely to take the lead in the race.
"Well, Tanya, if we're going to do this we need to try something new."
"I know, I've already been thinking about it. There is a lot of pressure at the front, with Lissome and Impress The Moonlight both being very talented stalkers... So I have a plan."
"Then tell me, because in all honesty I am hesitating about this decision. It is only my respect for you which has led to things going ahead."
"Well Jazzasoliel is up front with Lissome and Trinity right behind her. Normally, Lassy would be pretty much with them... But what if we changed her style a little? She doesn't build her speed as quickly as a typical preceding horse - if we ran her a little further back, she could save some stamina for that final kick and we've seen lately that she does have some welly when she puts her mind to it. Perhaps holding her back a little, as well as giving her a slightly easier pace early on, will ensure that competitive edge." The two women locked gazes, the trainer's brow furrowing slightly before eventually nodding.
"It could work. Let's go with it. But if she doesn't perform we won't be running the final race. I'd rather rest her and get her ready for the rest of the season."
"Agreed."
The filly scratched her head against the fence as she was led out onto the track, her gait light and playful as the handlers took her toward the starting contraption. Tanya looked calm and relaxed, not at all full of the tension she had felt during Paradise Island's Triple Tiara Campaign and perhaps all the more ready for it. She understood how important these races were, how they could lead to a whole new direction in a horse's career, but she also knew that beyond good preparation little could be done to influence the way that things played out. She wasn't a novice anymore, somehow thrust into the biggest races, but a seasoned jockey. People knew her, but more importantly she had learnt many of the lessons which had been missing in those early days.
The workout planned was a short one, with the main aim being to prepare the filly without tiring her. Two furlongs of Tanya driving her, pushing her to give her best for with this new plan speed, and acceleration, could be a major factor. They weren't even positive that Lassy could pull off this change in style, but it seemed like a wise move. She certainly had the potential to pull it off, but would it have a knock-on affect? Perhaps, but that was the risk they had chosen to take.
The trainer glanced down the entry sheet, tutting quietly to herself as she did. It was no surprise that the winner of the first leg, Impress The Moonlight, was yet again entered. The daughter of Impressario had given a flashy show in the Debutante and was quite the impressive racer if you looked over her record - a stalker who seemed more than talented at snatching those victories. Trinity, of Stride Of Perfection Stables, was a closer that had snagged third in the previous race and a strong contender. Nocturnal Runaway, a filly from Witch Creek Stables, was another looking to snag an upset, and had placed just above them in the last race. The mid pack filly had been looking good lately, and definitely had the talent to go further. Lissome was another stalker, racing in intrepid colors with an impressive record - she had placed second in the previous race, and was probably the most likely to upset Impress The Moonlight's attempt in Tanya's opinion. Finally, Jazzasoliel of Nature Blue Stables rounded off the field in what pretty much reflected the entries for the first. She was the only horse (at least going from past races) which was likely to take the lead in the race.
"Well, Tanya, if we're going to do this we need to try something new."
"I know, I've already been thinking about it. There is a lot of pressure at the front, with Lissome and Impress The Moonlight both being very talented stalkers... So I have a plan."
"Then tell me, because in all honesty I am hesitating about this decision. It is only my respect for you which has led to things going ahead."
"Well Jazzasoliel is up front with Lissome and Trinity right behind her. Normally, Lassy would be pretty much with them... But what if we changed her style a little? She doesn't build her speed as quickly as a typical preceding horse - if we ran her a little further back, she could save some stamina for that final kick and we've seen lately that she does have some welly when she puts her mind to it. Perhaps holding her back a little, as well as giving her a slightly easier pace early on, will ensure that competitive edge." The two women locked gazes, the trainer's brow furrowing slightly before eventually nodding.
"It could work. Let's go with it. But if she doesn't perform we won't be running the final race. I'd rather rest her and get her ready for the rest of the season."
"Agreed."
~~~~LATER THAT MORNING~~~~
The filly scratched her head against the fence as she was led out onto the track, her gait light and playful as the handlers took her toward the starting contraption. Tanya looked calm and relaxed, not at all full of the tension she had felt during Paradise Island's Triple Tiara Campaign and perhaps all the more ready for it. She understood how important these races were, how they could lead to a whole new direction in a horse's career, but she also knew that beyond good preparation little could be done to influence the way that things played out. She wasn't a novice anymore, somehow thrust into the biggest races, but a seasoned jockey. People knew her, but more importantly she had learnt many of the lessons which had been missing in those early days.
The workout planned was a short one, with the main aim being to prepare the filly without tiring her. Two furlongs of Tanya driving her, pushing her to give her best for with this new plan speed, and acceleration, could be a major factor. They weren't even positive that Lassy could pull off this change in style, but it seemed like a wise move. She certainly had the potential to pull it off, but would it have a knock-on affect? Perhaps, but that was the risk they had chosen to take.