The day of Manny's first race finally arrived. I had been counting down the days on my calendar with much anticipation. We arrived at the small country track around noon. Manny's race wasn't till two, but we had to be at the track two hours in advance. While it was only a small country race, it still had the same electrifying atmosphere as the big races.

I started to unload Manny while Dad went to sort out the stalls we were in. All of the trainers had specific stalls that they liked to put their horses in. We had a few horses making their racing debut today. Spring was a busy time of year in that regard; it was when all the two-year-olds first made their way to the track.

People were already getting ready for the first race, running around everywhere with a mixture of excitement and nerves. I walked calmly towards the stalls that Dad usually occupied, not wanting to hype Manny up. Truth be told, I was a nervous wreck on the inside.

Manny's eyes were bright like always and you could tell that he was just born to race. His powerful shoulder and hind muscles rippled as he walked, and he had this presence about him, making heads turn as we went by. There was not a bead of sweat on his shiny coat, just what I wanted. I had applied hoof oil earlier that morning, so his hooves too were shiny. He was alert, yet not alarmed.

I was quite nervous, as not only was Manny racing, but he was my chance to prove my skills as a great trainer. I wanted to be known for being a great trainer, not just for being Graham Farwell's daughter.

"Hey, are you alright?" a voice broke my thoughts. I hadn't realised that I had just stopped in the middle of the path. I turned around to see who it was. Of course it was Ben.

"Oh, yeah, thanks!" I replied. "Just distracted."

Ben gave me a sympathetic smile. God, that smile made me melt.

"Your Dad told me to tell you that he's already unloaded the other horses and they're in their stalls, waiting for Manny."

"Ok, thanks. Hey, you haven't seen Adam, have you? He said that he would help with the horses today because I have Manny to look after." Even though Adam didn't normally help, he did promise to help today.

"No, I haven't. I can help if you want, though. Manny is my first ride, so I don't have to get ready for another hour." Trust Ben to be the hero.

"That would be great! Their bridles are in the front. I'll see you at the stalls."

I tossed Ben the keys. He caught them with ease.

"Hey, nice catch!" I exclaimed.

"You know, have to be on my game at all times," he yelled behind him jokingly.

"Yeah, yeah," I laughed.

Once Manny was settled in his stall, I helped Dad prepare the rest of the horses, giving them all a quick brush, all while keeping an eye on Manny. The stalls were very simple, but they did the job. They had concrete floors and rails, so the horses could be easily tied. The stalls were in a U-shape with a row in the middle. At the end of the U there were two wash stalls, built from old whether boards that added a bit of history to the track. There were also buckets in the stalls, which you could fill up to give the horses a drink.

Time flew as we got everything unloaded and set up. By the time the horses were signed in (so the stewards knew they here here on time) and the jockeys' silks were handed it, it was a quarter past one.

"Dad, I'm going to start getting Manny ready," I explained to Dad, who was talking to a few of the owners about the other horses, as I grabbed Ben's saddle that he left for Manny.

"Sure, just yell out if you need anything."

"Yep,' I said, popping the p.

I started by brushing him all over. There was nothing worse than riding a horse with an itch. Then I tacked him up and applied the finishing touches. I always liked to make sure he was looking good.

Some owners arrived to wish Manny luck just as I was finishing up.

"He's looking great!" they exclaimed, nodding towards Manny. "Let's hope he runs as good as he looks!"

"I'm sure he will." I stood back to admire my hard work. It was always nice when trainers got praise from the owners.

"Horses to the mounting yard," a voice said over the loudspeaker.

I led Manny to the mounting yard, which looked as professional as it always did. It had roses bordering the path and a white fence standing between us and the crowd. There was a patch of green grass in the middle. With Manny numbered number five, I had to wait while the other horses got in front. Trainers wouldn't normally lead their horse around the mounting yard, but I liked to. My nervous died down a little bit, as I felt calm with this familiar routine, which included the well-known trumpet tune that played over the loudspeaker.

As I walked around, I watched Dad giving instructions to Ben on what he should do in the race. They both had a serious look on their faces as they analysed the competition. The official must have called for the riders to mount up; Ben started to walk towards me.

"Alright buddy, give it your best shot," I whispered to Manny as Ben mounted up.

We did a few more laps of the mounting yard in silence, both of us wrapped up in our thoughts, before it was time to let Manny go. Reaching the fence, I unclipped his lead rope and watched him gallop off.

"Good luck!" I yelled.

I joined Dad, who was standing with all the other trainers, in the area adjoining the mount yard.

"He's looking great, sweetheart." Dad gave me a reassuring pat on the back. I just nodded; my nerves had returned stronger than ever.

"The red light is on and they're off!" the race caller yelled.

"Man's Best Friend jumps well, sitting one off the fence. Snowball races to take the lead off Purfect. They're nearing the turn and all horses remain in the same position. Man's Best Friend starts to move up along the rail...

"He's starting to catch up but Purfect still leads by two lengths. Not Me is winding up down the outside. Man's Best Friend is closing the gap. He inches closer as they pass the 200m mark. It's Purfect and Man's Best Friend going head to head..."

The next few seconds felt like hours. It was like the world around me slowed to a crawl. I heard the thunder-like noise of the horse's hooves hitting the ground as they approached the finish line. People yelled from every direction. The next thing I heard were the results.

"Man's Best Friend wins in this two-year-old maiden race."

I was in shock. It wasn't that I thought he couldn't win, it was just I didn't want to get my hopes up in case he didn't. People came over and started congratulating me, but all I could think about was seeing Manny.

I practically ran to greet him at the fence, with tears threatening to make an appearance.

"We did it! We did it!" I cheered to Ben.

"We sure did," he replied with that smile.

"Oh Manny, you're just the best! Extra carrots for you tonight!" I exclaimed with a pat as I led him back to where the owners were waiting. My feelings were written all over my face in the form of a grin that spread from ear to ear. In fact, I don't think I had ever been so happy and proud. "You just need to do that every time!"