With a thunderclap-like cry of "Start," like a boulder thrown into a still lake, the stands and track instantly erupted into towering waves of excitement.
On the track, sixteen agile figures shot out from the Start Gate like arrows loosed from a bow, racing forward at lightning speed.
Dust kicked up by their swift footsteps swirled beneath the sunlight, intertwining with the cries from the stands into a frenzied sea of sound.
As though struck hard by that fevered tide, even the commentator's voice trembled slightly:
"A very beautiful start!
"First up... the top favorite, Gold Ship. Her Start Gate this time was equally flawless!
"She didn't fight for the lead, decisively choosing a position at the back instead.
"Skillfully avoiding the clash ahead, she kept cutting inward from behind.
"A very familiar Running Style and tactic. It seems we can all look forward to another astonishingly powerful late-race overtake from her!"
By the conventions of live commentary and analysis, the most popular Horse Girl was always introduced first.
And Gold Ship's fame truly lived up to its name. The moment her name came over the broadcast, the entire grandstand erupted in cheers like a volcano, as though they were already celebrating her crossing the Finish Line as champion.
Then, the commentator's words abruptly shifted, his voice rising several notches:
"Watch the front!
"Five runners are neck and neck!"
"From the inside out: Clear Sky, Golden Lyric, Wanlai Zhengming, Kitasan Black, and Rifaru!
"The clash... has produced a result!
"Golden Lyric has taken a slight lead of half a horse length, with Kitasan Black close behind!
"Another half a horse length back, Wanlai Zhengming and Rifaru are side by side!
"Clear Sky is temporarily fifth by the narrowest of margins!
"At the same time!
"Katsuno Stone is steadily closing in