"By then, I'll not only get a hefty share of the GI Races' prize money, but also take another step toward mastering more advanced medical skills!"
Just thinking about that bright future made Lin Anran grin again.
And what's more!
Maybe Platinum could win the Triple Crown of Transformation and then venture overseas!
Then she wouldn't just gain fans in Japan—she could become famous around the world. The market for all the related merchandise would be much broader, and she'd never have to worry about money again!
Sure, that was still a long way off, and it would probably be very difficult. But at least... it was possible.
"Maybe I'll even run into Big Red, Dahlia, and Bully again by then. And Route, too."
"But overseas is a bit far off. I'll add it to the battle plan for now."
At last, Lin Anran closed the document on his computer.
There was no doubt that Platinum was absolutely capable of winning a championship in the highest-level GI Races!
But no one could say exactly how many G1s she could win. It was hard to make an accurate judgment without putting her through multiple races.
After all, even among the outstanding Uma Musume who managed to win G1s, there were different tiers.
Uma Musume who won one or two G1s were the leading lights of their generation, shining brightly for a time.
Those who won three or four G1s were undisputed top champions of their generation, the sort countless spectators would remember fondly.
Win more than five G1s, and an Uma Musume could be called a legend of Japanese racing. She'd earn a place in the Hall of Fame, and would usually be an absolute ruler capable of dominating any generation—someone people still wouldn't forget decades later.
At the same time, she'd have the chance to compete overseas! A hope of challenging the world!
Lin Anran believed that Platinum, the Kulantta girl he transformed into, had a chance to become a legendary figure like Emperor Symbol of Rudolf and win more than five GI races—a monster of a champion.
So maybe she really would have the chance to race overseas someday?
"Dahlia in Europe, Bully and Big Red in America..."
And what were the names of those other little fillies overseas? Lin Anran had cast his net so widely that he couldn't even remember them all.
In any case, sooner or later, he'd probably meet them overseas—and maybe even face them in a race?
"But before that, I have to start with my first GI race."
"Mejiro Dober won't be easy to deal with, either. I'll have to be careful!"
Time flew by in a flash.
On the day of the Oaks, long lines stretched all the way to the entrance. Countless people wanted to see this demanding race, one of the Fillies' Triple Crown classics.
Some time earlier, countless people had been deeply disappointed when Agnes Tachyon withdrew from the Japanese Derby. They'd given her the affectionate nickname of the Phantom Triple Crown.
URA had chosen to heavily promote the Oaks, hoping to offset the negative impact of Agnes Tachyon's injury.
Since the deity they'd originally tried to create had suffered mishaps in two consecutive generations, they would try to create a third.
As a result, the Oaks drew attention from every direction. Countless people hoped to see a breathtaking race that would make them forget everything that had come before!
And on a certain road leading to the racetrack...
A petite, white-haired girl walked along, looking down at her phone and yawning lazily.
On the screen was a news story.
Arrogant challenger Platinum dares to try to seize the Oaks!
It seemed Miss Heavenly Horse wasn't very highly regarded.
Dober, don't let us down! Show some spirit! That's the way!
Arrogant challenger Platinum dares to try to seize the Oaks!
The headline gave Platinum quite a shock.
After staring at it for a moment, Platinum raised an eyebrow and tapped on the story, intrigued.
Once it opened, she clicked through to the full article so she could take a good look at the piece criticizing her.
Three weeks earlier, a dark horse had appeared out of nowhere at the debut race of the supernova Daiwa Scarlet and defeated her.
That dark horse was none other than—Platinum!
Even more incredible, after resting for just one week, she'd won the next GIII graded race by a wide margin.
But after running two races in a row over the course of a week, she'd rested for only two weeks before daring to challenge the prestigious 2,400-meter GI race, the Oaks!
Such a reckless schedule made her the most arrogant Uma Musume in Japanese history—without exception!
Barely three weeks had passed between her debut and her challenge to the Oaks—not even a full month. If Platinum could still beat Mejiro Dober...
Then she'd set a record in Japan and around the world for the fastest GI win after a debut! In less than a month, she'd risen from newcomer to GI champion!
But—that was impossible. The haughty Heavenly Horse would pay for her arrogant challenge. Just you wait and see!
The article wasn't particularly long, but it clearly explained why it didn't believe in Platinum.
It came down to her relentless racing—a schedule unlike anything in the history of Japanese horse racing.
She'd been racing for less than a month and was already going after a GI. Even elite Uma Musume from Europe and America would probably be shocked to hear it, wouldn't they?
No matter how you looked at it, it was a little crazy.
"Huh. That's it?"
After finishing the article, Miss Heavenly Horse Platinum closed it with a hint of disappointment.
It seemed her resolve hadn't been shaken in the slightest.
She'd thought it might have something interesting in it.
As Platinum saw it, once she won the Oaks... everything would be different.
The next headlines might look something like this—
Usurper Platinum closes in on the Japanese Derby!
Heavenly Horse Platinum takes the top spot in the Japanese Derby and wins her second crown!
The great Heavenly Horse of the Triple Crown of Transformation will arrive at her faithful Kikuka Sho today!
To make it all come true, and to get a fortune out of Agnes Tachyon, Miss Heavenly Horse wouldn't back down.
She put away her phone and drew nearer to the racetrack, but then Platinum furrowed her brow.
It seemed there was something on her mind.
With the race approaching, Platinum wasn't worried about the race itself, but about the spectators outside the race.
"I never thought Tachyon would give me a ticket—and a front-row seat right next to hers, no less..."
First of all, this was good news.
And secondly, it was bad news.
It proved that her image as a kindhearted, helpful big-brother doctor had taken root in Agnes Tachyon's heart!
That was why the wealthy young scientist was willing to spend good money on a pricey pair of adjoining front-row seats and give one to her.
Now that she had Agnes Tachyon's approval, once she won the Triple Crown of Transformation and improved her medical skills, she'd be able to treat Agnes Tachyon completely and get her to hand over the cash willingly!
That was the good news. But the bad news was... the doctor was about to step onto the track, where Agnes Tachyon would be studying and observing her!!!
"Ugh. I'll have to think of a good excuse after the race."
"I can't let Tachyon notice anything strange!"
Compared to the race itself, Miss Heavenly Horse seemed more worried about what was happening outside it.
Not long after...
The lazy assassin Platinum arrived at the entrance to the racetrack, still lost in thought!
At the entrance to the competitors' waiting area inside the racetrack.
Mejiro Dober didn't approach. She stood at the doorway, listening to the encouragement of two other Mejiro sisters.
The first to speak was Mejiro McQueen, the current queen of long-distance races. Having defeated her rival Tokai Teio, she now had all the confidence of a supreme champion.
"You've got a much bigger advantage than a little filly like Platinum, who hasn't even reached Full Bloom yet!"
She wanted to pass that confidence on to her younger family member, too.
"We trained at the Mejiro family grounds. Don't let us down!"
Mejiro McQueen smiled as she patted Mejiro Dober on the shoulder.
Beside her, the elegant strategist Mejiro Aldan gave a light laugh.
"Right. Show some spirit!"
Encouraged, Mejiro Dober nodded solemnly, her whole body brimming with fighting spirit!
Her talent might be exceptional, and she might have the potential to become Japan's next strongest Uma Musume, but that was all in the future.
For now... Mejiro Dober wanted to be Wellington or Blücher, defeating Napoleon—the one who might become the Emperor—right here!
(Platinum, this Oaks is your Waterloo!)
She was immensely popular and came from the prestigious Mejiro family. There was no reason for her to lose to some little newcomer who'd debuted less than a month ago!
The next moment, Mejiro Dober turned and strode into the waiting area.
Her imposing figure left Mejiro McQueen and Mejiro Aldan behind her thoroughly satisfied.
"That's the way!"
A while later, the stands were filled with tens of thousands of spectators.
Their many conversations rang out without end.
"Mejiro Dober's going to win, right? She's a genius from the Mejiro family!"
"Kyoei March is strong, too. She has a good chance of winning."
"It's a shame. If Platinum entered the Fillies' Triple Crown next year, she might even win it undefeated. Why is she in such a hurry?"
"I'm Miss Dober's dog!"
As the crowd chatted, the announcer's voice rang out over the speakers and filled the venue, announcing the Uma Musume's entrance and the start of the race.
Welcome, everyone, to the classic Oaks!
In this grueling 2,400-meter race, only the most dazzling flower of beauty is destined to bloom at the finish line!
Now then—who will it be? Let's wait and see!
And now, competitors, please enter the starting gates!
A moment later, the Uma Musume had all stepped into the gates.
Once they were in the gates, the race was about to begin! The atmosphere across the venue instantly turned tense.
Even the noise from the stands dropped by countless decibels.
And there was an empty seat in the front row.
Manhattan Cafe and Agnes Tachyon sat together, but the seat beside them was empty.
The young scientist couldn't help furrowing her brow, puzzled.
"Why isn't Doctor Lin here?"
Puzzled, Agnes Tachyon picked up her phone and began making a call.
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