Post by Millie Daveys on Mar 5, 2013 8:40:01 GMT -5
Striking Darkness ridden by Millie Daveys
Arlequinn ridden by Indey McCall
The tall bay colt made his way quickly towards the track entrance. Millie sat confidently upon his back. The colt, King, had really come into himself in the few months of the year. He wasn’t afraid of any race or any competition and took everything on with all that he had. Closely following, was a smaller bay colt, Arley. He was older than King, having just gone 3. He was a fine colt who should really show himself this season in the turf sprints. Last season he achieved an impressive second in the best grade 5 category at the end of year awards. The Spring Cup was quickly approaching and both of these colts would be going head to head with each other in the Cup. Oak Hill didn’t usually like to enter more than one of their own horses in the same race, however the field was only small and Millie and Indey both felt that their horses could do well in the race. Of course, Arley had the advantage with age, experience and a good record behind him. However, King was currently taking the track by storm for Oak Hill!
Both colts, energetic and hyper, swiftly moved towards the inside rail and marched along it. The riders chatted away about their upcoming plans for both horses; both agreeing that they were going to try and run their horses in some more competitive races this year. For Arley, maybe even the Sprinter Triple Crown races. King was more energetic than Arley today, however he exactly reflected how Arley would have behaved this time last year. King tossed his head vertically, jogging sideways down the track. King’s energy livened Arley up a little and he broke into a trot, tossing his head after King. Indey pulled Arley back down to a sensible walk, although he pulled on the bit a little willing to go forward he soon settled into a speedy yet controlled walk. King soon settled also, he quickly settled ahead of Arley in a jogging sort of walk.
The colts were soon loosened up. Millie was first to push King into a trot. Arley sparked up and quickly followed. Both seemed to bounce off each other and it really brought the best out in them. Come race day they should really bring each other to life. King held his head high and briskly made his way towards the first bend in the track. Arley was eagar to stay hot on his heels and sped up to draw even with him. Both jockeys drew their horses back to a calmer trot, both horses were competetive and raring to go today, as they were every day it seemed.
As the corner quickly approached the riders began to prepare their horses for canter. They shortened their reins and asked for a forward going canter. The colts pricked their ears and picked up a forward going canter instantly. The pace was quick. Both horses lived for speed and no corner could be taken slowly in the sprint races which they took part in, it was all or nothing. And when these horses ran they put their 100% in every time out. The horses settled into a steady pace, Arley was settled on the inner rail and King was just ahead on his outter side. Arley finally quietened off and cooperated with Indey as she asked him to hold his place. King was aware that Arley had backed off and too settled happily half a length ahead.
Today both horses were just going to sprint one furlong on the straight; nothing too strenuous as the big race was quickly approaching! As the horses sped off away from the bend the pace picked up. Millie looked over to Indey, giving her a nod to indicate her to ask Arley for the gallop. Indey and Arley were first off. Arley excitedly lowered his head before he swiftly moved off into the gallop. At Arley's movement King's attention sparked and his ears instantly pricked up right. He pulled forward and Millie allowed him to assend into a speedy gallop. King quickly grew hot on Arley's haunches. The pair dueled for the lead momentarily, until Arley pulled away by a neck.
The soft turf flew from beneath their hooves and was tossed behind them. They tore up the ground and covered the distance quickly. Neither horse gave up for one second, they fought every stride they took. Even if they were not pulling on the bit to catch up they were still running hard and focused. Although at the half way point both horses were matched and equal, Arley soon began to pulled away a little. As the furlong marker grew closer and closer Arley managed to hold on to his lead. King fought hard to catch up, however Arley was really on his game today and he flew past the furlong marker only one length ahead of King.
King did not seem crushed or disheartened by his close loss. Both Arley and King, and also both jockeys, seemed more ready than ever for their upcoming race. They were prepared and energetic, ready to take on what their other competitor would throw at them!
Arlequinn ridden by Indey McCall
The tall bay colt made his way quickly towards the track entrance. Millie sat confidently upon his back. The colt, King, had really come into himself in the few months of the year. He wasn’t afraid of any race or any competition and took everything on with all that he had. Closely following, was a smaller bay colt, Arley. He was older than King, having just gone 3. He was a fine colt who should really show himself this season in the turf sprints. Last season he achieved an impressive second in the best grade 5 category at the end of year awards. The Spring Cup was quickly approaching and both of these colts would be going head to head with each other in the Cup. Oak Hill didn’t usually like to enter more than one of their own horses in the same race, however the field was only small and Millie and Indey both felt that their horses could do well in the race. Of course, Arley had the advantage with age, experience and a good record behind him. However, King was currently taking the track by storm for Oak Hill!
Both colts, energetic and hyper, swiftly moved towards the inside rail and marched along it. The riders chatted away about their upcoming plans for both horses; both agreeing that they were going to try and run their horses in some more competitive races this year. For Arley, maybe even the Sprinter Triple Crown races. King was more energetic than Arley today, however he exactly reflected how Arley would have behaved this time last year. King tossed his head vertically, jogging sideways down the track. King’s energy livened Arley up a little and he broke into a trot, tossing his head after King. Indey pulled Arley back down to a sensible walk, although he pulled on the bit a little willing to go forward he soon settled into a speedy yet controlled walk. King soon settled also, he quickly settled ahead of Arley in a jogging sort of walk.
The colts were soon loosened up. Millie was first to push King into a trot. Arley sparked up and quickly followed. Both seemed to bounce off each other and it really brought the best out in them. Come race day they should really bring each other to life. King held his head high and briskly made his way towards the first bend in the track. Arley was eagar to stay hot on his heels and sped up to draw even with him. Both jockeys drew their horses back to a calmer trot, both horses were competetive and raring to go today, as they were every day it seemed.
As the corner quickly approached the riders began to prepare their horses for canter. They shortened their reins and asked for a forward going canter. The colts pricked their ears and picked up a forward going canter instantly. The pace was quick. Both horses lived for speed and no corner could be taken slowly in the sprint races which they took part in, it was all or nothing. And when these horses ran they put their 100% in every time out. The horses settled into a steady pace, Arley was settled on the inner rail and King was just ahead on his outter side. Arley finally quietened off and cooperated with Indey as she asked him to hold his place. King was aware that Arley had backed off and too settled happily half a length ahead.
Today both horses were just going to sprint one furlong on the straight; nothing too strenuous as the big race was quickly approaching! As the horses sped off away from the bend the pace picked up. Millie looked over to Indey, giving her a nod to indicate her to ask Arley for the gallop. Indey and Arley were first off. Arley excitedly lowered his head before he swiftly moved off into the gallop. At Arley's movement King's attention sparked and his ears instantly pricked up right. He pulled forward and Millie allowed him to assend into a speedy gallop. King quickly grew hot on Arley's haunches. The pair dueled for the lead momentarily, until Arley pulled away by a neck.
The soft turf flew from beneath their hooves and was tossed behind them. They tore up the ground and covered the distance quickly. Neither horse gave up for one second, they fought every stride they took. Even if they were not pulling on the bit to catch up they were still running hard and focused. Although at the half way point both horses were matched and equal, Arley soon began to pulled away a little. As the furlong marker grew closer and closer Arley managed to hold on to his lead. King fought hard to catch up, however Arley was really on his game today and he flew past the furlong marker only one length ahead of King.
King did not seem crushed or disheartened by his close loss. Both Arley and King, and also both jockeys, seemed more ready than ever for their upcoming race. They were prepared and energetic, ready to take on what their other competitor would throw at them!