Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2015 12:45:52 GMT -5
Zachary's Darkest Shield, riden by Majra Kulenović
Although the day had barely begun, grey clouds hovered ominously above Cliffstone Stables. A cold breeze whipped in from the Atlantic, ruffling the black mane of Zachary's Darkest Shield. The black filly was being walked towards Cliffstone's turf track by Majra, a young jockey. Majra was nervous, and it wasn't because of the threat of rain. It was her first time riding any horse at the stables. If she messed up, she felt as if she would be letting the stables down. The job at Cliffstone Stables was Majra's first since finishing her apprenticeship. Like the horse that she was riding, she felt somewhat untested. Majra shook her head, as if to rid herself of the discomforting thoughts, and fully turned her attention to the horse that she was riding. Weapon, as the black filly was nicknamed, had almost arrived at the track. Majra was grateful that she would ride alone. The last thing that she and the unraced filly needed was someone scrutinising their every move.
Zachary's Darkest Shield set off, not quite in a blur, but fast enough. The North American breeder who had sold Weapon had mentioned that the filly favoured longer distances. It was unusual, but not rare, in a thoroughbred of Weapon's height. Majra was therefore unperturbed by the black filly's approach. She urged Weapon onwards a little, keeping close to the interior of the oval track. The filly was fast, but she didn't quite feel exceptional. By the eighth furlong, Majra was not expecting any difference. Weapon, on the other hand, sped up, moving far faster than she had in the previous furlongs. It was an impressive feat for a relatively small racehorse, and Majra found herself enjoying the speed. Seeming to sense her rider's loss of apprehension, Weapon pushed on. Majra decided to end the workout on a high note when the black filly completed her ninth furlong. The Opprobrium Maiden, Weapon's first race, was also to be nine furlongs in length. Majra knew that there was a lot of work to be done before then,and not simply by Weapon. The moment of speed at the end of the workout made Majra wonder about the potential which Weapon might reveal, if only her rider might project a little more confidence. The woman also wanted to see the filly's response to training with other horses. Majra knew that the morning's training session was merely an opportunity for her and Weapon to become accustomed to one another, and to Cliffstone Stables itself. Still, it was a start, a beginning of what Majra hoped would be a great career, both for Weapon and herself.