THE MAGIC MIX COLT

Rob Walker shook his head in frustration. His eyes followed the approaching flashy brown colt being jogged down the outside rail back to the chute leading to the barn. What was supposed to be a sharp four furlongs had turned into a funeral procession, both in pace and in heart. 46 4/5 seconds wasn't a bad time, especially for such a young horse. But this wasn't just any horse!

This colt, pumping the blood of superstar Eclipse mixed with that of the legendary Black through Kentucky Derby heroine Black Minx through his veins, would fetch no less than twenty mill in the sale ring even if he only had three legs. But this is what Rob found most frustrating - the fact that the colt had four legs, four very good legs, it was just trying to make them move faster which had him stumped. There was definitely speed in there, finding the right key to release it was the problem.

Despite his better judgement, he heard himself saying to the Magic Mix colt's rider, Dan Seymour,

"Couldn't you have asked for a bit more?"

Dan looked just as frustrated.

"If I asked for any more, he would've given me less."

Rob shook his head and turned away without further comment. This colt, despite looking just like his sire, had Black Minx's temperament stamped all over him.

"He's bored, boss."

Rob turned at the sound of Dan's voice and raised an eyebrow.

"He was just stretching his muscles out there," Dan carried on. "He doesn't see the point in doing any more. Why should he? As far as he's concerned we're just out for an exercise. We haven't worked him with any of the other horses yet. Maybe it's time we should. Give him a taster of what this whole game is about."

"Maybe you're right," Rob said after a moment's thought. "We'll work him in company just after Christmas. He might give us a surprise."

Two weeks later, Rob's thumb snapped down on the stop watch as the horse in front of him flashed passed the running rail. A blizzard of snowy kickback in its wake began to settle before being disturbed again by two other horses ten lengths back.

44 1/5 seconds for a fast four furlongs.

The glass of the clock misted over as Rob's hot quickening breath blurred out the hands. Rubbing a gloved palm over the face he stared at the time again, a warm sensation spreading from his stomach and scorching through his body until even his ears burned beneath his hat. He'd cracked it!

Looking up, he watched Dan Seymour slowing the colt up and as calmly as he could muster, he took out his cell phone and punched in the number for Eagle Star Farm's primary owner, John McIntyre.

"Hello, John?" he tried to keep the tremor of excitement out of his voice. "Rob Walker here. Just had the Magic Mix colt do his last piece of fast work for the year…you ready for this? 44 1/5 seconds on a deep track…I know! This is the one we've been waiting for…it's too early to start mapping out his campaign, we've got to be patient…remember Eclipse was a champion but he was better at three than he was at two. We've seen from his last crops that two year olds aren't his strong point but by God, this colt can move!…when he wants to, I know. It looks like Black Minx has left her stamp on him. But if he can run like he's just shown me, then Hopeful Farm is going to have their work cut out for them with that mad Roulette colt if they wanna get past him."