Hoofprints in a Foreign Land

"File another millimeter off the horseshoe nails."

During the pre-race inspection, the officials suddenly made that request.

But Ikee, who had been pacing restlessly outside the stable moments ago, did not panic at all.

Three days before the race, the farrier had arrived in the United Kingdom from Japan to replace the horseshoes for the race, and Ikee had asked him to remain on standby until race day.

Thus, even when faced with the sudden demand to "file another millimeter off the nails," the team was able to handle it calmly.

While Ikee bent down to inspect the readjusted horseshoes, and a few Japanese racing fans living in the United Kingdom came over to visit, Yutaka Take, having already weighed in, routinely paced out the turf he would soon be using.

"The grass isn't as long as the rumors said, and the weather's good, but the ground is definitely soft."

That was what Yutaka Take said after returning from the course.

Even now, many Japanese racing insiders and fans still held the impression that European turf was long and deep.

In truth, however, the turf in the United Kingdom was not nearly that exaggerated.

Still, just as Yutaka Take had felt, the ground that had earlier been announced as "good" was indeed nothing like good ground in Japan.

"Maybe we should try settling a little farther back."

"Leave that decision to you, Yutaka."

As the Trainer and Jockey discussed this, Ryan Moore, dressed in blue silks, passed by them while flicking his whip—his face clearly showing his frustration.

Then, a little later, news came through—

Misty Hill, whom Ryan Moore had been scheduled to ride, had failed the officials' inspection because his temperature was slightly above the permitted standard.

In other words, the already small field had been reduced to