Post by LK on Aug 12, 2015 18:28:29 GMT -5
Workout for the Caulfield Cup*
Ridden by Maverick Harris
The day hadn't started out great as they moved through the barn with workouts. The morning had revealed overcast skies and showers kept developing throughout the day. The horses did not think the weather was that bad as they proceeded to raise hell in the barn. They spent most of the morning kicking the doors and grooms ran around trying to keep them from hurting themselves. Only after an hour did they give up before turning the ruffians loose in the pastures. There they romped and played until they had finally relaxed and settled in to graze on the dewy grass.
Maverick walked down the isle of the barn to stall three and was greeted by a whinny and a giant chestnut head sticking over the top of the door. Handsome Tabby was indeed that; incredibly handsome. In his past five years he had filed out beautifully, finally living up to his massive stature. In the past year he had shown his true potential as a turf runner and was enjoying every minute of it. He was as playful and lively as ever, practically glowing in his happiness. Maverick knew everyone in the barn was crazy about the stallion, as he was the first grade one horse to Oceanic View's name. It also was going to be a bitter sweet end of the year as the chestnut was going to be retired after the Breeder's Cup. They all hoped Tabs would pass his height and calm demeanor onto his offspring.
As they headed out onto the turf track the rain had let up a little, like a relief between the storms, just enough for them to get their workout done. The race was the Caulfield Cup at Green Horse Fields, the first leg of the Senior Superstar Turf Series. Felicity fully expected the stallion to nab one win, if not more, during the series. He had tough competition this year in the likes of Abastor and Call of the Wild. Stride of Perfection Stables was sending forward the youngest of the three, but still was a strong competitor in the race with his closing strategy. Abastor and Handsome Tabby were both versatile runners, and both varied from front runner to preceder. It would be a toss up who would lead the race, but that would be settled the first few steps of the race.
Maverick looked around for a breezing partner. There was no way Felicity would plan the stallion to run by himself the first race of the series. Tabs needed to be prepared to run against anything if he was going to pull off a strong race against his competitors. Maybe later on in the series he could run a solo workout, but it was very doubtful for the Caulfield Cup. The sound of hooves on the pebble walkway made them both turn and Mav smiled as the big bay rounded the corner. Felicity usually pulled ironic matches together at the best of times. For walking up the path was none other than Tabs's old rival, Majestic Hero.
They warmed up side-by-side on the turf track, the almost identically built thoroughbreds sizing each other up as they trotted along. At one point Majestic Hero had been ahead of Handsome Tabby with experience, but after being re-homed several times before landing at OVS, he had slowed down tremendously his last few years. Just last week the bay stallion had passed into his grade one status, a long sought after and well deserved win. He would be the third grade one horse to retire this year from the new racing barn.
When the horses had finally reached a level satisfactory to their jockeys, they headed for the starting gate at the start of the track. They would only be running a short distance of five furlongs in an effort to keep Tabs from burning himself out too fast before the race. His month off in the middle of the year did him well as he was the fittest he has ever been. They loaded in the gates and waited for the doors to spring open. Tabby was the first to leap from the gates, getting a good lead on the younger horse. Jester followed quickly behind and claimed his usual spot as a stalker, hot on the chestnut's trail.
It took them a moment to unfold legs and launch into their strides, but when they did they began to eat up the track. By Felicity's orders, Maverick kept his mount ahead of the other pair. They were gonna have to practice leading from wire to wire if they had any hope to gain some ground on Abastor. Every time Majestic Hero crept up on the bigger stallion, Mav gave him the cue to stay a step ahead of the chaser. Tabs breathing was even and strong as they passed the three furlong marker and he did not show any signs of exhaustion.
Two furlongs left and the stallions were beginning to fight for the lead. Jester had finally slipped up next to Tabs and was pushing the chestnut harder. Maverick waited atop his mount, their moment would come soon enough. They inched along the track neck and neck, while the rain came down at a steady pace. It beat against Mav's face and steamed when it hit Tabby's pelt. Behind them Clinton was swearing up and down as it smacked him against the goggles and drenched him to the skin. In an effort to beat the torrential downpour, he urged Jester to take the lead.
Handsome Tabby was waiting for the move and leaped into a deeper stride, opening up a space between him and the other horse. Maverick merely held on and let the stallion do his own thing as they neared the five furlong pole. Tabs was determined to pull ahead and led by a length by the time they passed by the marker. It took one tug on the reins and the stallion immediately pulled up, almost dumping his jockey on his face. Gone was his challenging demeanor and fight, out came his calm and playful personality. Though they were drenched from the rain, everyone was happy how the work had gone. Tabby was in the best shape for the race, now they just had to hope the circumstances were in their favor when it finally came to race day.
