When Alexia had heard that there was a son of Mighty News - a stallion she had been responsible for breeding, and whose racing career she had started - she had been excited. When she had heard who the dam was, she has basically insisted that Chris purchase him there and then. As such, another horse had arrived at Golden Valley Stables awaiting their debut and ever since the grooms had had their hands full every morning. To say that Headline, who Alexia had nicknamed Harlow, was demanding was as futile as saying the snow on the ground was cold. If he didn't feel he was being given the right amount of attention he was kicking at the barn door and kicking up a fuss. He couldn't even be turned out with the other colts as he just didn't tolerate them. But to those who he felt treated him well he really was a sweetheart. Alexia was one of his favorites.

He was also the horse that Jade Smith would be given her chance on. She'd been working as an exercise rider for Chris for some time, had expressed her desire to try her luck in her race time and time again, and she'd built something of a bond with the colt. If she rode him well then in a few months she might receive more rides, and by the start of the next season she would become a full jockey for the stable. She, at least, was comfortable in the saddle and held the rein with confidence as the colt followed the pony during the warm-up. Headline was bright, alert, and ready to go, his ears pressed forwards as he moved with ease through his paces. After a lap of the track, mostly at a trot with a stretch of canter, the lead pony was slowed and the staff prepared to load the colt.

This was where he played up. Headline pushed backwards away from the gate, skittering awkwardly as he tried to avoid being loaded. The staff were persistent but he wasn't having it until Alexia ducked beneath the rail, moving over and leading him into the stall, using his trust in her to help coax him forwards and once the back shutters were closed she pushed herself into the next stall, patting his neck.[/div]