When Life Races You By

Chapter 15

The next 12 months flew up and Manny was back to him old self, winning lots for races. Now a four year old, he was really hitting his stride. Ben to was improving, looking at taking out jockey of the year. Manny had just won a Group 1 race, which brought with it a lot of prize money and hopefully an entry into the Melbourne Cup.

It was only two years ago that Ben told me that one day I might win it and now it could be a real possibility. Waiting for that letter was like waiting for someone to tell me to breathe, painful. Lucky today was my lucky day.

“Claire,” my mum shouted, “there’s mail for you!”

I bolted down the stairs, like my life depended on it. Huffing and puffing, I picked the letter up off the kitchen bench. Tearing it open, I started reading.

Dear Ms Farwell,

I am pleased to inform you that Man’s Best Friend has been accepted as an entry in the Melbourne Cup. In order to be running, Man’s Best Friend must beat Firefly in the upcoming racing.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Mr Tim Roth

I sat down, taking it all in. I knew of course that Manny wouldn’t get in straight away, it just wasn’t that easy. Firefly was a black stallion, who had raced in the Cup the year before, so I was a little bit nervous about trying to beat him, but I knew Manny would try his heart out. If we didn’t get in this year, there is always next and the year after that.

After telling mum the news, I raced down to the stable to tell dad and Ben. When I arrived they were looking at one of the horses, Susie. She was my latest project. Now that I was becoming a successful trainer, more and more owners wanted their horses with me. She was a quiet, bay mare, but gave her heart to you when you asked her to race.

“Hey,” I exclaimed, “you’ll never guess what just happened?”

“We won the lotto,” dad joked.

“No dad,” I laughed, “it’s even better in my opinion.”

“We might be running in a certain race,” Ben winked. He already knew that I was waiting for the letter. Dad knew to, but his memory wasn’t always the best.

“Getting warmer.”

“And it might involve a very shiny cup!”

A light bulb went off in dad’s eyes.

“You didn’t?” He exclaimed.

“We sure did!” I announced. “We’re off to Melbourne!”

Dad wrapped me in a huge hug.

“I’m so proud of you hon. No one deserves it more than you,” He said.

“Thanks dad. We have to beat Firefly first.”

“That won’t be hard,” Ben piped in, “because Firefly won’t be running.”

“What? Why?” I asked shocked, this was new information to me.

“Let’s just say a certain trainer got tested positive for drugs today,” Ben explained.

“But how do you know? It isn’t even in the news yet.” I questioned.

“Insider knowledge,” Ben taped his nose. I knew Ben had friends over east, but I wasn’t aware how much information that got from each other.

“Well then, I better go email Tim. See you then.”

                                                                                                ~

Opening my laptop, I checked my many emails. Most of them were from owners, wanting to know how their horses were going and when they were going to race next. With more and more horses coming to me, the emails were just getting worse. After seeing if there was anything important, I began to compose an email.

Dear Mr Roth,

It has come to my attention that Firefly may or may no longer be racing in the upcoming race. Could you please notify me if this is true? Does this mean Man’s Best Friend has an entry into the Melbourne Cup?

Cheers

Claire Farwell

After all these years, I finally learnt to just get straight to the point. Quickly rereading it, I sent it off. With exams coming up, just before the Cup, I tried hard to study, but it was quickly broken by my computer binging, to tell me I have an email.

Hi Claire,

Yes this is true. Only in the last few hours has Firefly been disqualified from the Melbourne Cup. His trainer tested positive to drugs. This means that Man’s Best Friend is in the final field.

Congratulations and good luck!

King regards,

Tim

I got hardly believe my eyes. I just sat there, staring at the screen. This morning I thought maybe we were in with a chance, but now my dream was finally true. I jumped up and down in my seat, as I replied, before running to tell everyone the news.

Manny would be racing in the Melbourne Cup!

Author's Note: Here is another chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know your thoughts. There is one more chapter and then you guys will have to wait, because I don't have any time to write at the moment. Don't forget the competition is still going on. It ends 1st March. Thanks!