The Bay Blaze

Sarah Jones was busy doing final preparations before she would be leading CDS Point 2 Point out into the paddock parade ring of the Rosendal Stables racecourse. Sarah had never believed her eyes when she'd received a 'yes' answer to their entrance application and now here the CDS team were at the famous Rosendal Stables where many of the great thoroughbred racehorses had been bred and stabled a few being RD's Trace A Devil , RD's None The Less, RD's Blaze The Trail and the great RD's Devil Wears Prada to name some. Carrying over a bucket full of water to CDS Point 2 Point's allocated stall she unlatched the door and put the water in the trough, she'd already put fodder in the other trough. "Hello Miss Jones" said the stable lad who was holding the dark bay thoroughbred mare still by the halter rope. Sarah smiled "Hello she replied taking the rope off of the lad and dismissed him. "Come on Pointer" Sarah said leading the mare out of the stall to be able to stretch her legs before the race, the thoroughbreds ears immediately pricked up at the sounds of the lively racecourse at the sounds of the other horses and bookmakers calling out odds over the roar of the crowd, however it also allowed Sarah to look at the 14 other horses who would be racing, they were all stunning and sleek looking animals all at the top of their games and all worthy winners.

Then suddenly a journalist who Sarah had noticed going around to each of the thoroughbred owners came through the crowd towards her and there was nothing she could do to stop him coming "Miss Jones would you please make a statement for us about your mare and how you think she'll do today?" the journalist asked, his pen poised upon a writing pad. When he wasn't looking Sarah rolled her eyes "We're hoping that CDS Point 2 Point will hold the distance well today, Scratch...scratch..scratch went the pen upon the paper "Miss Jones CDS Point 2 Point is sired by the undefeated champion Frankel and out of Black Caviar do you believe that she'll live up to her sire and dam's reputations as being undefeated?". Sarah pondered the question for a moment "I believe that a racehorse should be able to write their own destiny not just to rely upon the reputation of their sire and dam..." Scratch...scratch..scratch "One final question Miss Jones...the track today is heavy going and is very wet because of the rain, there are puddles on the track also how do you think the field will do to combat that?". Sarah rolled her eyes once more "I believe that all 15 starters in the race are all worthy and deserved winners and that they will all do well and I wish all the horses and jockeys luck" Scratch...scratch..scratch "Thank you Miss Jones and good luck today" the journalist then left and Sarah went off to allow Point 2 Point to stretch her legs.

It didn't take Sarah long to tack up the dark bay mare in the Crown Derby Stables racing tack and the red and gold saddle cloth with the number '2' on it as it was CDS Point 2 Point's starting number. She then was leading the mare around the parade ring paddock waiting for the jockeys Felicity her best friend being one of them to come out. She wasn't kept waiting long and soon Felicity Lewis was walking towards her dressed in the black and red racing silks of Crown Derby Stables "Any last minute advice Sarah..." Felicity said but she was suddenly cut short as Sarah stopped the mare "Right now be CAREFUL Felicity" Sarah said "The track is heavy, wet and will quickly become dirty". Felicity laughed "It could be worse..." she grinned mounting up onto the thoroughbreds back  "...There are also puddles on the track near the turns" Sarah slipped in quietly, Felicity looked at Sarah for a moment before she rode away through the gate after the other starters leaving Sarah with the rest of the thoroughbred owners in the parade ring paddock.

Felicity wouldn't question Sarah again as soon as she and CDS Point 2 Point had flown from the gate with the other starters and fell into what she thought was a good position in the pack, the dirt came...the track was very dirty and dirt was kicked upwards by the thoroughbreds, splattering onto Felicity's goggles.

As they came to the second turning Felicity had managed to settle the mare into a good position at the front of the pack where she hoped that the dirt would be lesser than when she'd been in the middle of the pack, however it had to last for two laps and 3400 meters until the final straight, where there would be more space.
"Right now be CAREFUL Felicity...The track is heavy, wet and will quickly become dirty...There are also puddles on the track near the turns" 
Felicity couldn't believe she'd laughed, the corner was in a horrible condition and atleast the blinkers on CDS Point 2 Points racing hood would give her protection for her eyes somewhat. "Carry us through this Pointer" Felicity whispered quickly to the mare knowing that it would be a challenge to be the one first past the post and Felicity hoped the mare would live up to the name she was given by the public...

The Bay Blaze
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------