Heart-Pounding Six Furlongs

As she responded to the blessings of the surrounding racing fans, she headed toward the paddock.

It had been a long time since she had felt something beyond mere anticipation for a race like this.

"Sure is hot—"

The crowd packed around the paddock entrance made the heat feel even more oppressive.

Thankfully, the mist drifting from the spray nozzles tempered the stuffiness of midsummer. She was still sweating constantly, but the air did feel a little cooler.

The runners began appearing one after another on the track, which was starting to buzz with noise.

"Eh—"

The racing fans gathered at the paddock entrance cried out.

Following their gazes, she nearly reacted the same way.

Apparently trying to avoid the sprayer at the end of the entrance passage, Noah—who had already been walking close to the outer rail—pinned her little ears back slightly and sidestepped with such an exaggerated crabwalk that she nearly dragged her groom to the ground.

Amid the ceaseless shutter clicks, it almost felt as though whispers of "Just what you'd expect from Gold Ship's child" could be heard.

However, soothed by her groom, Noah quickly settled down again and obediently accepted inspection behind the lead rope.

Perhaps aware that she had caused trouble moments ago, even when passing through the section where the sprayers were operating, the bay mare only wore an impatient expression that seemed to say, Fine, just get this over with.

"That really gave me a scare just now."

As they left the shelter of the roof and headed to meet the team on the grass in the center of the paddock, Trainer Uchida patted his chest and said so.

Apparently, the trainer had already been prepared to step in and help the groom stop Noah if she bolted.

—Though he had not