Japan Cup

My titles are getting boring, lol. 


Registration Number: 7
Show: The Japan Cup 
Horses Name: The Gremlin 
Riders Name: Sam McLean
Extra Images: 
 

Previous Experience: 
1st in Juvenile Stakes 
3rd in Haskell Invitational 
?? in Melbourne Cup 
?? in Gran Premio Nacional

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Prizes Donated: Headshots for 1,2, 3!



Aaaaand story: 

Compared to their time in Melbourne, there was a spring in the air as they touched down in Japan. Gremlin had a history here. He was born here. Somewhere not to far away, his dam was stationed. And his sire, Kurofune. There was some flutter in the press surrounding Gremlin as his breeding was recognisable. Kurofune was a popular and successful sire. In fact, he was once a superstar. At 3 he won the Japan Cup Dirt. There was a legacy in Gremlin’s arrival. And the Gremlin remembered this place. 

It was strange having Gremlin on his best behaviour. He indifferently accepted any tacking up, and had a surge of positive energy during his training. A couple of times he would stop, picking up some distant scent on the wind, and canter off with a training rider, but he would calmly returning to training. The only thing they all noticed was that he wasn’t as deeply focused (as if he ever was), but they all secretly counted their lucky stars they weren’t having to be working at 150% just to get on his bridle.      

The weather in Japan was surprisingly pleasant, and following the tumultuous trip to Melbourne, it seemed the whole atmosphere of the Ballenclieff team was subdued and relaxed. It was almost like a holiday. It reminded everyone just how much physical energy went into this colt. If only he could be this distracted all the time. 

Shortly before the Japan Cup, the away team celebrated with news of the filly Connachan’s debut success in England. Willa had left them after Melbourne to compete, and there was drinks all round. Connachan was so promising, and Sam remarked his jealousy as being unable to ride her first. Connachan was his favourite, and a part of him lamented his commitment to the grey devil who’d likely end his career before it had even begun. Rob threw a devil’s look to Sam for the comment, but it was a possibility they all feared.

**

The morning of the Cup began in earnest, and the light air of the colt remained. It took just two to get his head tack on. One for the saddle. Sam was in a better place. Checking in before he had to head off, whatever dangerous energy the colt had been harbouring was expelled in the Melbourne. Now there was a glowing mass of excitement, pleasantness. Maybe just once they could get a pure run from the colt. Something that could remind them why he was bought in the first place.

A missile among paper planes.

For once, as they entered the mounting yard, Rob felt it appropriate to place a hand on the neck of his horse. Gremlin responded with a side eye, but this time, continued pleasantly on, so much so they could all admire his world class walk. For once the Gremlin seemed like a pleasant horse. Keen eyed and receptive to the crowd. He had settled in at 7th again, followed by the familiar red filly, and the the grey Blackbeard who’d beat him in the Haskell. The white filly Rob spied ahead in the field. 

Rob parted from them, as Sam swung up into the saddle. The grooms loosened their grip, and Sam was once again alone with the grey horse. But ti felt different today. (Every day is different, he laughed at himself). But he was hopeful. They slid onto the track, and Gremlin receptively took up a strong gallop as they set off for a quick warm up. The turf was firm beneath them. The sun was pleasantly dull on the back of his neck. The atmosphere was exciting, but he was not afraid of the horse this time. Maybe Gremlin had been homesick this entire time. 

In the gate and onto the track was like a cakewalk this time. Sam remembered what a good horse felt like. The Gremlin was receptive the entire way. He was near silent in the gate. Even the war cries of the horses around them did not interfere. He had no beady look, eyeing Sam up from down infront. He was incredibly fit. His normally exacerbating manner meant whenever he was training he was fighting, and using half his strength just to being a goddamned ornery fuckhead. The energy this time was brimming but good. As the gate clanged open the hope swelled inside Sam.

The grey burst out onto the track. As the pack settled, Sam took a chance and rode the grey to front, a horse or two ahead so he could get to the rail. Gremlin obliged, ignoring the competition that began to jostle around them. Once at the rail, Sam settled down, gently asking for a more relaxed pace, and once again the colt obliged. The roar of the announcer picked up on the early lead, but Sam felt the pace setters close in alongside, but the pair were content. The Gremlin did not lead the pack, but hunted it. The other grey Blackbeard settled in close, and Sam in his relaxed state noticed the familiar beady eye roll in the socket and seek him out. The Gremlin, as if some self aware beast, seemed to be able to pick his targets. The grey would lead, and the devil would follow.       

The race was long, but Sam was content with his position. Several horses moved in front of them - some Gremlin had met before, others he had not - but the Gremlin kept close at an easy pace. he moved best at this. His fourth year. Fast and powerful, running with his head up for once. He could truly move, and with four or five horses in front of them and none moving too early, Sam began to gently ask for the quickening stride. Apply the pressure. 

He could feel the cogs begin to turn. It irritated him greatly that the Gremlin responded so quickly and efficiently. Proof that he fucking knew and he could fucking do it if only he wanted to. The Gremlin was changed his pace. He felt the head lower. He was flattening out, smoothing out, and Sam adjusted himself to balance perfectly atop. When he wanted to, they were a perfect team. Sam understood when to stop directing. It wasn’t yet. But he would know. He could feel the scream of the crowd on the ascend, and the huff and puff of the horses surrounding them. From underneath, Sam heard a rumbling screech that penetrated his body. The beast was back.

And the hunt began.