In Shape
Bazinga & Lucy Hamilton
A fire had ripped through Riverview Acres, claiming the life of Master Of Tides and marking the start of yet another break for the stable from the track while they took time to rebuild. Yasmin had worked hard to ensure the horses were sound to return to work and they were finally ready to make a comeback. But Lucy was nervous, after all they wouldn't really know what damage had been done until they returned to the track.
Bazinga, on the other hand, seemed as if he'd never missed a beat. Slick, as he had always been known at the barn, was up on his toes and testing the handlers as they made their way down to the practice track - charging forwards before suddenly halting, pulling in one direction or the other and basically making sure that everyone knew why he had the reputation of a trouble maker.
His behaviour changed as they arrived at the track though. At one stage he'd have continued, but he'd matured a little and realised things moved more quickly if he at least let her mount before continuing his games. Lucy glanced at Alexia who sat at the edge, receiving a simple nod, and climbed into the saddle. Slick shifted a little beneath her, tossing his head as they trotted him forwards, releasing him as they came level with the marker.
The chestnut barely needed a nudge, he knew he was here to gallop and he was more than pleased to oblige. They moved well over the turf, settling into the work. See, it's not so bad. Lucy needed to reassure herself as she looked at the course ahead of her. He would handle three furlongs with ease, they'd been priming him for his return for months and if he wasn't ready now he may never be.
After the first furlong the jockey started to push and was pleased to find that the acceleration and speed seemed to still be there. He hadn't lost his edge - he wanted to run, he enjoyed it. Almost as much as he enjoyed pushing the people around him to their limits. This is what we want.
She stopped pushing again, allowing the colt a moment at this speed as they came through the second furlong and then grinned. Her confidence was up, Slick was moving well and she was sure that he would not fail her. She pushed him and he surged forwards, the jockey truly driving now. She would not touch the whip in a workout and it seemed she did not need it with how he responded. His ears were pressed forwards, his movements strong as they came to the end of the third furlong and the workout.
Lucy was feeling good, but the true challenge was still ahead of them.
Bazinga, on the other hand, seemed as if he'd never missed a beat. Slick, as he had always been known at the barn, was up on his toes and testing the handlers as they made their way down to the practice track - charging forwards before suddenly halting, pulling in one direction or the other and basically making sure that everyone knew why he had the reputation of a trouble maker.
His behaviour changed as they arrived at the track though. At one stage he'd have continued, but he'd matured a little and realised things moved more quickly if he at least let her mount before continuing his games. Lucy glanced at Alexia who sat at the edge, receiving a simple nod, and climbed into the saddle. Slick shifted a little beneath her, tossing his head as they trotted him forwards, releasing him as they came level with the marker.
The chestnut barely needed a nudge, he knew he was here to gallop and he was more than pleased to oblige. They moved well over the turf, settling into the work. See, it's not so bad. Lucy needed to reassure herself as she looked at the course ahead of her. He would handle three furlongs with ease, they'd been priming him for his return for months and if he wasn't ready now he may never be.
After the first furlong the jockey started to push and was pleased to find that the acceleration and speed seemed to still be there. He hadn't lost his edge - he wanted to run, he enjoyed it. Almost as much as he enjoyed pushing the people around him to their limits. This is what we want.
She stopped pushing again, allowing the colt a moment at this speed as they came through the second furlong and then grinned. Her confidence was up, Slick was moving well and she was sure that he would not fail her. She pushed him and he surged forwards, the jockey truly driving now. She would not touch the whip in a workout and it seemed she did not need it with how he responded. His ears were pressed forwards, his movements strong as they came to the end of the third furlong and the workout.
Lucy was feeling good, but the true challenge was still ahead of them.