The Matriarch was not particularly skilled at taking the lead, but as the fourth Triple Crown-winning filly in racing history and a Horse Girl with seven G1 victories, she had no trouble understanding what Deep Impact meant.
And when she responded to Deep Impact, her tone was entirely different from the teasing casualness she had shown Gold Artisan, filled instead with respect.
"So that's it—you use sudden bursts and stamina to make up for deficiencies in acceleration and top speed?" After thinking for a moment, she asked tentatively.
Watching the situation on the track, Deep Impact nodded approvingly.
"That's right. For someone like you, accelerating doesn't consume much stamina, and your top speed is also very high.
"But for Little Kita, the best way to reach her top speed in a short time is through repeated bursts of acceleration.
"Maintaining speed and bursting repeatedly are two different things. The latter drains stamina at an exponentially greater rate.
"If she uses that approach too early, she'll easily lose speed by the middle stage."
The Matriarch wore an expression of sincere conviction, but after nodding, she asked about something Deep Impact had not mentioned.
"Then what was that Great Escape she used in the Saint Lite Kinen about?"
At that, Deep Impact shifted her gaze away from the track and looked toward Anjing Zhen nearby, a trace of appreciation flashing through her eyes.
"That was tactics."
"Tactics...?"
The Matriarch paused in surprise, then thought quickly. Her eyes lit up.
"Taking advantage of her opponents not expecting her to use a Great Escape? If that was really it... it's a simple idea, but it can indeed work quite well sometimes."
"Once you see through it, that's basically all there is to it, but..."
Deep Impact smiled and nodded again.
"That's simply how tactics