People: Melanie Mackenzie, Kirsten Jade, and Aaron Phillips
Date: January 29 2014 (March Week One)
Place: ARS dirt track
Senior Dirt in My Face
we are getting older but we still got it.
Melanie ran her hand up and down the forelegs of the small gray mare. Everything seems good and strong. she pulled a bit on the right leg to stretch it out and did the same for the left before standing up and giving the mare a good pat. "You ready to run old girl?" Sissy blinked her beautiful long eyelashes in Melanie's direction. Of course she was ready. The five year old daughter of Silverfoot and Secret Miracle was a well seasoned veteran and had started off this season with two wins of the four starts. She was looking good and sharp and it was time to think of entering her in some big races for her final season. If she failed, she failed, if she won than great. At least she would get the chance to try racing against top competition before retiring. If she had something to prove she will prove it this year.
Melanie led her mount out of the stable shed and to the mounting block. She enjoyed her rides upon the gray mare, it was much more relaxed and easygoing than fussing with the green juveniles. Or even worse - working on the yearling training... Melanie sighed. That was about to start up the week after the Finish Cup and so far Melanie was not looking forward to it. Usually she welcomed the challenge but this year she felt like Fleet Street took all the energy out of her. She rode on to the track sitting tall and proud. What she needed was a few good wins this weekend to raise her spirits. Most of her usual mounts were running this weekend and she desperately wanted a win in the Finish Cup.
They moved gracefully around the track, preparing Sissy for her final workout. The race was only nine furlongs, which put Sissy in a great position for the win. She was a good closer, not the type that came directly from the back to win but one that had that extra gear that could switch on at any moment. Yet once in the lead she tended to slow her pace so a shorter race was perfect. Melanie was planning on holding her until the final turn before letting her fly. Sissy was the only closer in the race so far so Melanie hoped to try and take the other horses by surprise. Problem was that Italian Ice could easily take a nine furlong race from wire to wire so Melanie didn't want the gap to be too big before letting Sissy out, she might not have the chance to close fast enough. She would have to play the race smartly. Strategy was key.
They were ready to go. She waved to the two horse and rider pairs behind her to let them know. Kirsten and Tropez had been on the track warming up for awhile, as had Aaron and Legacy. The two four year old stallions would be joining her soon to help condition Sissy for her race. The pressure was on Sissy this weekend for a big win. It would hopefully be her first big win (other than a win in the Winter Cup two years ago) and a test to show her class and strength. "You can do this Sissy. It's your turn this year." There was no more Midnight Thriller in their stable for Sissy to shadow to. She needed to step out on her own and prove to the racing world that she was made to run, not hide.
"Go!" They took off flying down the track. Melanie could hear the hooves of the two stallions close behind her. It wouldn't be long now. Just then Melanie spied the dark brown nose of GM Halloweentown from the corner of her eye. Taking an easy lead the stallion pulled ahead. That was fine, Tropez loved to be ahead. Just wait... patience...
A Royal Legacy was right on their heels and Melanie frowned with concentration. Tropez was pulling on ahead by three lengths and Legacy was trying to push her pace. Forget it, Aaron. Go around. Melanie held tight onto the reins. If her mare was to beat these boys she would have to be smart. Aaron had much less patience than her and Kirsten was the most experienced jockey and will probably push Tropez to widen the gap, yet keep a bit of horse left for the end. Know your horses, know your jockeys...
There was one and a half furlongs to go. GM Halloweentown was ahead by five lengths. Melanie could feel the tension behind her. All of a sudden Legacy shot on to her right and blew past Sissy in a quick pursuit. Melanie smiled. She knew Aaron wouldn't wait it out. Sissy strained forward. Not yet. Not yet.
There was a furlong to go and Melanie let out just a smidge of rein while she watched the two stallions battle it out in front. Just as she thought, Kirsten had left enough horse in Tropez for him to battle it out until the wire. It was the final stretch. Now or never. Melanie let her horse out and felt the mare fly. They approached the leaders with tremendous speed that had been saved throughout the entire run. Closer and closer they went, filling in the gap. They were under the wire and Sissy had her nose in front. Melanie grinned from ear to ear. She still had it, now if only they could have a run like that on Saturday...