Fire At Will
Bazinga jockeyed by Lucy Hamilton
Fire It Up jockeyed by Samuel Knight
Fire It Up jockeyed by Samuel Knight
"They barely overlap distance-wise, why would you work those two together?" Alexia looked up at the handler who questioned her and smirked slightly, shrugging.
"I have my reasons."
"What reason could you have to throw away potential?"
"In your opinion. I happen to think it will do them good."
"Well clearly you are deluded."
"If you are so against my methods you are free to leave. I can sign your final cheque here and now and wish you luck." She shrugged casually, opening a drawer. "Or you can get on with your job and leave the training decisions to me?" The trainer seemed to consider his options and shook his head.
"Whatever, just don't take it out on anyone else when the horses fail because of your choices." With that he stormed out of the office and Alexia just smiled to herself. Ah, well, not everyone could understand. She'd have to keep an eye on that one.
In some ways, though, the handler had a point. Not many people would run the two colts together given their differences in preferences but sometimes those differences presented the greatest of challenges. For Slick, the match meant a workout longer than his normal works which would test his stamina while Comet would be running shorter than his typical five furlong works in the hopes it would encourage his speed. A simple theory, surely it wasn't that hard to grasp the concept? Then again, when you went against the grain of what was widely accepted as usual then of course you would face opposition. She had just hoped for a more accepting attitude from her own staff.
She stared out of the window at the bright, low-sitting sun of the morning and smiled. Ah, well, sometimes a new approach was as refreshing as that sight. She knew that the handlers were already preparing the pair for the run; her jockeys had been working out together this morning and would arrive shortly; and she believed in her choices. Even if no one else did. They had proven effective enough until now.
"You know you have no chance on that waste of time you ride, right?" Lucy was jesting, but she knew Sam would rise to it.
"Oh, right, because your inconsistent ride is better?"
"Slick broke his maiden first time out."
"Yeah, and been hit and miss ever since. At least Comet is consistent."
"As if that's all that matters."
"You'll see, Comet will leave your petty little sprinter for dust."
"You are so on, Sam, and you'll be eating your words."
The jockeys arrived at the track around five minutes before Alexia and still bantering when the trainer arrived. It was nothing serious, just a bit of fun really, but it made them more competitive than ever. Nothing like a bit of mud slinging to get yourself ready for a race. They did it a lot to each other during race meets, and Alexia had wondered for a while if they actually hated each other before clicking onto what they were actually doing. It was smart, and she liked smart.
"You are running a four furlong turf workout today, and I expect to see you both giving your best. These two both have the potential to do well and I want to make the most of that." She looked between the jockeys with a slight smile. "And today I don't want either of you holding back. These horses will run, and I want to see who comes out on top." Well, who was she to deny them a little competition? Feeding the jockeys, as well as the horses motivation could prove useful.
The first of the two colts arrived, Comet looking fine as he was led out onto the turf. His bay coat held a healthy gleam, his eyes bright as he walked quietly beside the handler. There was no fuss, no games, and Alexia wondered how he had been behaving up at the yard. Had he barged through the stall door? Nipped at one of the grooms? No doubt she'd get a full report when she got back to the office. Having recently broken his maiden in the Stable Face Off, Comet had a lot to prove. But he was the younger brother of Sun King, a beast in his own right, and the trainer was convinced that he could become just as strong as the previous season's juvenile champion if she just trained him right. Sam stuck his tongue out at Lucy before walking over to the bay, stroking that long powerful neck before climbing up into the saddle. Comet's ears flicked a little, and the handlers continued to walk him as they waited for Slick, who was not far behind.
The chestnut's handlers did not look anywhere near as composed as Comet's. The colt had clearly been making sure they were on their toes and came onto the track pretty much dragging them along, his head high in the air. The white, spotted markings across his coat might have made him look flashy but it was the energetic gait and determination which was really shining through today. Lucy couldn't figure out what was holding Slick back, but had decided that she would be more choosy with his races for the forseeable future. Maybe they could fix that consistency issue of his? Maybe he would grow out of it? She wasn't sure.
Lucy climbed into the saddle and grinned down at Alexia before the handlers led the colt on and toward the starting contraption where Comet was already calmly entering the second stall. Slick, seeing this, became more difficult and started pulling again, as if determined not to be showed up. The truth was more likely along the lines of the face that he enjoyed competition but the way it looked was almost comical. Due to his rush to get loaded, the handlers had to turn him and lead him back to the stall before he entered successfully.
With the colts ready in the gates the blonde haired trainer sat forwards, watching the contraption with a level of anticipation. There was little she was sure about in this match up, but that it would be quite a show was one thing that could not be denied. The jockeys had already showed themselves to be chomping at the bit (metaphorically, of course) for this little competition between them and these weren't horses without talent.
The gates slammed open and the colts were quick from the gate, Slick almost like a bullet as he surged out with Comet hot on his heels although the bay was soon dropping behind, with a more relaxed gait than the chestnut. Lucy held the chestnut in, but he was fighting her - full of energy and competitive energy he just wanted to go. Sam was smirking as he saw signs of the other jockey's struggles and patted the bay reassuringly. This was just fine for them. Let the sprinter waste his energy and they would make the most of it later on.
By the time the pair hit the two furlong mark Lucy had the chestnut settled at a reasonable pace while Sam and Comet had continued to lose ground. They were now around three lengths behind the other pair but Comet did not seem phased. While his pace had increased a little there was no urgency to his movement. Sam urged him onwards a little, starting to close the distance as they passed the half way mark but not worrying - he knew what a powerhouse the colt was in the final stretch. Comet would not lose this match without putting up a fight. They came into the final furlong with Comet trailing by a length and a half. Lucy was already pushing Slick forwards, the chestnut colt clearly throwing himself into every stride although the increase in his speed was not overly noticable. Sam grinned, crouching to the neck of the bay and cracking the crop.
Alexia bit her lip as she watched the two juveniles up that final stretch. Comet was closing the ground quickly, the fire in his heart clear as he powered up the turf but Slick was not backing down - as he heard the other's approach he had found another gear and was not giving in easily. Still Comet continued to inch up, the pair battling before the bay passed the chestnut. But he hadn't taken things by much, they passed the post with a head between them and Alexia was grinning to herself. Oh yes, those colts had a chance to shine.
"I have my reasons."
"What reason could you have to throw away potential?"
"In your opinion. I happen to think it will do them good."
"Well clearly you are deluded."
"If you are so against my methods you are free to leave. I can sign your final cheque here and now and wish you luck." She shrugged casually, opening a drawer. "Or you can get on with your job and leave the training decisions to me?" The trainer seemed to consider his options and shook his head.
"Whatever, just don't take it out on anyone else when the horses fail because of your choices." With that he stormed out of the office and Alexia just smiled to herself. Ah, well, not everyone could understand. She'd have to keep an eye on that one.
In some ways, though, the handler had a point. Not many people would run the two colts together given their differences in preferences but sometimes those differences presented the greatest of challenges. For Slick, the match meant a workout longer than his normal works which would test his stamina while Comet would be running shorter than his typical five furlong works in the hopes it would encourage his speed. A simple theory, surely it wasn't that hard to grasp the concept? Then again, when you went against the grain of what was widely accepted as usual then of course you would face opposition. She had just hoped for a more accepting attitude from her own staff.
She stared out of the window at the bright, low-sitting sun of the morning and smiled. Ah, well, sometimes a new approach was as refreshing as that sight. She knew that the handlers were already preparing the pair for the run; her jockeys had been working out together this morning and would arrive shortly; and she believed in her choices. Even if no one else did. They had proven effective enough until now.
"You know you have no chance on that waste of time you ride, right?" Lucy was jesting, but she knew Sam would rise to it.
"Oh, right, because your inconsistent ride is better?"
"Slick broke his maiden first time out."
"Yeah, and been hit and miss ever since. At least Comet is consistent."
"As if that's all that matters."
"You'll see, Comet will leave your petty little sprinter for dust."
"You are so on, Sam, and you'll be eating your words."
The jockeys arrived at the track around five minutes before Alexia and still bantering when the trainer arrived. It was nothing serious, just a bit of fun really, but it made them more competitive than ever. Nothing like a bit of mud slinging to get yourself ready for a race. They did it a lot to each other during race meets, and Alexia had wondered for a while if they actually hated each other before clicking onto what they were actually doing. It was smart, and she liked smart.
"You are running a four furlong turf workout today, and I expect to see you both giving your best. These two both have the potential to do well and I want to make the most of that." She looked between the jockeys with a slight smile. "And today I don't want either of you holding back. These horses will run, and I want to see who comes out on top." Well, who was she to deny them a little competition? Feeding the jockeys, as well as the horses motivation could prove useful.
The first of the two colts arrived, Comet looking fine as he was led out onto the turf. His bay coat held a healthy gleam, his eyes bright as he walked quietly beside the handler. There was no fuss, no games, and Alexia wondered how he had been behaving up at the yard. Had he barged through the stall door? Nipped at one of the grooms? No doubt she'd get a full report when she got back to the office. Having recently broken his maiden in the Stable Face Off, Comet had a lot to prove. But he was the younger brother of Sun King, a beast in his own right, and the trainer was convinced that he could become just as strong as the previous season's juvenile champion if she just trained him right. Sam stuck his tongue out at Lucy before walking over to the bay, stroking that long powerful neck before climbing up into the saddle. Comet's ears flicked a little, and the handlers continued to walk him as they waited for Slick, who was not far behind.
The chestnut's handlers did not look anywhere near as composed as Comet's. The colt had clearly been making sure they were on their toes and came onto the track pretty much dragging them along, his head high in the air. The white, spotted markings across his coat might have made him look flashy but it was the energetic gait and determination which was really shining through today. Lucy couldn't figure out what was holding Slick back, but had decided that she would be more choosy with his races for the forseeable future. Maybe they could fix that consistency issue of his? Maybe he would grow out of it? She wasn't sure.
Lucy climbed into the saddle and grinned down at Alexia before the handlers led the colt on and toward the starting contraption where Comet was already calmly entering the second stall. Slick, seeing this, became more difficult and started pulling again, as if determined not to be showed up. The truth was more likely along the lines of the face that he enjoyed competition but the way it looked was almost comical. Due to his rush to get loaded, the handlers had to turn him and lead him back to the stall before he entered successfully.
With the colts ready in the gates the blonde haired trainer sat forwards, watching the contraption with a level of anticipation. There was little she was sure about in this match up, but that it would be quite a show was one thing that could not be denied. The jockeys had already showed themselves to be chomping at the bit (metaphorically, of course) for this little competition between them and these weren't horses without talent.
The gates slammed open and the colts were quick from the gate, Slick almost like a bullet as he surged out with Comet hot on his heels although the bay was soon dropping behind, with a more relaxed gait than the chestnut. Lucy held the chestnut in, but he was fighting her - full of energy and competitive energy he just wanted to go. Sam was smirking as he saw signs of the other jockey's struggles and patted the bay reassuringly. This was just fine for them. Let the sprinter waste his energy and they would make the most of it later on.
By the time the pair hit the two furlong mark Lucy had the chestnut settled at a reasonable pace while Sam and Comet had continued to lose ground. They were now around three lengths behind the other pair but Comet did not seem phased. While his pace had increased a little there was no urgency to his movement. Sam urged him onwards a little, starting to close the distance as they passed the half way mark but not worrying - he knew what a powerhouse the colt was in the final stretch. Comet would not lose this match without putting up a fight. They came into the final furlong with Comet trailing by a length and a half. Lucy was already pushing Slick forwards, the chestnut colt clearly throwing himself into every stride although the increase in his speed was not overly noticable. Sam grinned, crouching to the neck of the bay and cracking the crop.
Alexia bit her lip as she watched the two juveniles up that final stretch. Comet was closing the ground quickly, the fire in his heart clear as he powered up the turf but Slick was not backing down - as he heard the other's approach he had found another gear and was not giving in easily. Still Comet continued to inch up, the pair battling before the bay passed the chestnut. But he hadn't taken things by much, they passed the post with a head between them and Alexia was grinning to herself. Oh yes, those colts had a chance to shine.