Many years ago, back in the day when I used to write poet...

Many years ago, back in the day when I used to write poetry, I penned this poem. I didn't keep very many of the poems I wrote, most of them were normal teenage therapy type stuff, but for some reason I kept this one. 
Seeing as how Bracken Ridge features a horse race, albeit under very different circumstances, I thought this was an appropriate poem to share.

The stables were abuzz with peoplefor today was the Championship raceand all the good horses were entered -to lose would be a disgrace.
The manager fingered his beardand shouted "today I'll be rich!the prize money's four million dollars!from now on my life will be swish.
Sapphire Rose must pull together"he said, "we're counting on her for the win;and you-" he then said to the jockey"must push her hard - to not, would be sin.
You must keep at her, keep pushing her onwards,encourage her, demand for her best;today she must prove what she's made of -this race is the ultimate test.
Her mother's a champion broodmareher sire, too, a first-running boy;she has all the speed in her breedingand endurance, and strength, but she's coy.
Keep with her, keep her up with the leadersdon't let her get back in the pack,coming down the back straight push her hardershe'll surge forward, there'll be no turning back.
Just look at this glorious horse here,all muscle and sinew and spirit;she wants to run - look at her stamping -she's got this race won, so don't blow it!
Saddle her up now, but be carefulbandage tightly her delicate legs.This race is worth millions of dollarsso treat her like you're handling some eggs.
Come here you!" he yelled to the jockey"If you don't win this race you are dead!This race is worth four million dollars -you lose, and it goes on your head!"
The manager just wanted money,to get it he was ruthless and mean;it's known he's not beyond cheating,where there's money involved, he's keen.                       ***In another part of New Zealanda young girl prepares for the raceshe's fallen out big with her familyand to win this would help her save face.
You see, she ran off with her boyfriendand her family have cast her away,her boyfriend was once the farm workerbut her father would not let them stay.
He said to them it was 'disgraceful' to fall in love with each other like that.He said: "I'm ashamed you're my daughter.You can both leave right now!" he spat.
This race was a chance to prove herself,her father had challenged her to win;the only way to win his approvalwas to become the new Champion.
Finally they got to the racetrackand they checked out who she had to beat -fast horses and professional jockeyswho would be quick on their racehorse feet.
The odds were not in their favourtheir chance was six hundred to one;Sapphire Rose was the favourite,she was fast and she loved to run.
She had all the speed from her breedingher trainer was right by her side,she had a professional jockeywho was paid to do nothing but ride.
The girl thinks to herself "I am crazy!I'll be lucky not to come last!"her horse was not bred to win racesand Sapphire Rose will be fast.
Her horse is a pedigree Thoroughbredand yes, he has youth on his sidebut with no racing blood in his breedingall they can do is ride.
He was bred out the back on the farmfor galloping up hills after sheep;he's not used to running on flat land -his muscles were toned on the steep.
They have no alternative wayto give four million bucks to her dad,winning this race is their only hopetheir situation is very sad.
"All competitors onto the field"the announcers voice suddenly criesthe girl leaps onto her horses' backand friskily he shies.
"Get on up Danny Boy," she spurs himshe rides him out onto the track,they eye up the other competitorsbut now there's no turning back.
The horses and jockeys line up in their boxadrenaline runs through their veinstheir stirrups are short, they're sitting up highand tightly cling onto the reins.
The starter gun goes, the horses leap outthey're in a fast sprint in one pace,Sapphire Rose jumps into the leadand Danny Boy boldly gives chase.
They're galloping hard along the first legthey're both nose and nose in the lead,the jockey spurs her a little bit more'and Sapphire increases her speed.
Another horse catches up Danny Boyand passes him on the back bendthe jockeys all pressure their horses -the best one will win in the end.
Another horse comes, and another,Danny Boy's dropping back in the packbut one horse is starting to labourand soon two or three have dropped back.
They're coming along the back straight nowand Danny Boy's still going stronghe passes one horse then another,he and Sapphire gallop along.
Sapphire Rose is starting to wheezeexhausted, she's starting to slow;her jockey whips her and pushes her onDanny Boy's still raring to go.
Sapphire Rose has given her allshe just can not run any faster,Danny Boy's rider gives him his headand Danny Boy goes surging past her.
Sapphire's manager is shaking his fistand yelling "give her more spur man!I intend to win! Push her harder!Dropping back is not part of the plan!"
Sapphire Rose gives it one more shotshe gives it one more burst of speedbut just as she gains on Danny Boyhe jumps right back into the lead!
The girl has to win so she spurs himshe's after much more than the prize;the money is not why they're running,she wants acceptance in her father's eyes.
Danny Boy stretches out furtherhe lengthens his strides even morethe girl wants him to go fasterso he stretches out more than before.
His lead on Sapphire is increasingthe end of the race is in sight,Sapphire's jockey is urging her on -they won't lose without a good fight.
Danny Boy's muscles were toned on the hillsand Sapphire trains on the trackDanny Boy's lungs are big and strong;Sapphire tries, but drops back.
They're strides away from the finish lineand Danny Boy's a good length aheadSapphire's jockey whips her for all he's worth,Sapphire tries, but stumbles instead.
Danny Boy races over the linethe crowd whistles and cheers for their win;Danny Boy, ridden by a slip of a girlis now the new Champion!
For love they overcame tremendous oddsthey gave of their best till the lastthe girl and her boyfriend can now be togetherand this race will soon be in their past.