Spring and Autumn Equinox felt the Mission

Spring and Autumn Equinox did not really know much about the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; she only instinctively felt that it had to be an incredibly prestigious race.

But when she heard that Harvest Festival had won the Japanese Derby only to lose so badly in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, she froze. "Such an amazing senior only came in fourteenth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe? Then Senior Little Kita—"

Before she could finish, Almond Eye shook her head. "Overseas Expeditions are complicated, with many variables. That isn't something we need to worry about right now.

"What I'm trying to say is that perhaps because of the Overseas Expedition, Senior Harvest Festival's condition after returning—especially her Final Burst—"

She hesitated before voicing her observation. "—has been a little unstable."

"Unstable?"

"Mm. That's what I think, anyway."

Reassuring herself, Almond Eye pointed at the data. "Look. During the Japanese Derby, her Final Burst could still reach an astonishing 33.3 seconds.

"But in the Kyoto Kinen she ran after returning, her speed during the final sprint dropped to 34.9 seconds.

"For an ordinary Horse Girl, fluctuations like that would be considered normal. But compared to her previous, consistently low-33-second level, that change is a bit too drastic.

"So I have a theory. Compared with her peak condition during last year's Derby, Senior Harvest Festival's current competitive form—may not be at its best."

"Oh—" Spring and Autumn Equinox nodded thoughtfully, trying to understand. "So, whether someone wins or loses a race doesn't just depend on how strong her opponent used to be, and it doesn't only depend on her Final Burst. It also depends on her actual condition on race day, right?"

As she spoke, her eyes lit up. "And just like you said, Senior, if Senior Harvest Festival