The sun cast a golden glow over the track as Chris arrived ahead of the latest workout - a workout in which two dirt sprinters would run together in preparation for their debuts. The frost was still crisp on the ground, crunching under his shoes. He breathed into his hands, rubbing them together to warm them up, and waited for the horses to arrive.

It was the filly that was led out onto the track first, calm behind her pony. Sweet Reverie, or Roo, was a sweetheart from regal breeding. Her sire was none other than the BHoF-inductee Sweet Sugar Cane while her dam had seen great success with Shanty Town in the season which had just closed out. But it wasn't her breeding that would make her - it was her passion for pleasing her people. Roo had proven in her time at the stable that she would do just about anything that was asked of her. She would face down the world if only for those who worked with her every day. Lila was perhaps top of that list. The jockey had made a habit of making sure to give the filly a little time every day, always happy to give love and treats and so Chris had no doubt the two could go far together.

But Snapdragon - or Draco - was not far behind. He was absolutely tiny compared to the lanky filly, barely 15.1hh, but his size certainly didn't represent him. This colt was fierce, stubborn, and frankly acted like a much larger horse. Even now his ears were pinned against his skull as he followed the filly to warm up, another pony trailing behind just in case they were needed to help if he went on a tangent. Thankfully, they weren't needed. The colt was more interested in running than causing an issue.

Draco was the first loaded into the gate after the workout. With a snap of his tail he had entered the contraption with little care. Roo was a little more hesitant. She slowed and stared at the gate, but Lila soothed her and with a little coercion she too was soon loaded and ready to run. Lila and Mark nodded at one another as they prepared and when the gates opened Draco shot from them. Roo, although a little less quick, was not far behind him.

The two juveniles ran up the dirt track in earnest, Draco setting strong fractions and Roo unafraid to let him lead and just follow her jockey's lead. Two furlongs seemed to go too quickly, Mark allowing the colt to run with little interference, but Roo was starting to close the gap which had grown between them and with a furlong left to go she was at the colt's side. Draco wasn't going to let her sail by, though. He quickened, pushing, fighting. Colt and filly were giving their all even in the workout, the jockeys giving just enough input to keep them on track. They flew past the post and Chris was grinning. They had potential.