Twelve

The second day of the International Jockeys' Championship.

While everyone else plunged into the shopping malls for a wild shopping spree, I attended the barrier draw ceremony for Hong Kong International Races Day with Ravide.

After an opening ceremony that felt unchanged from memory, the barrier draw for the Hong Kong Vase came first.

Next came the Hong Kong Sprint.

It was not as though I was overly nervous, but standing before that familiar draw podium still made my heart race.

While I was quietly exchanging English pleasantries with the owner of a horse from another stable at the neighboring draw station, the announcer's voice came through the microphone. "The first horse is Mejiro Hōso!"

Then came the sight of a row of team representatives all turning their heads this way.

Even Mr. Ying Jiabai, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's chief executive responsible for revealing the first drawn barrier, shrugged at that moment.

After shaking hands with the other man, I followed the hostess's guidance to the two rows of yellow barrier cards.

As usual, I chose the one closest to hand.

After peeling back the cover, I stole a glance at the reactions of the guests' seats from the corner of my eye.

Then I happened to meet Yutaka Take's gaze.

Or rather, only part of his gaze.

What was with that unreadable smile on his face? Just as I thought that, the male announcer walked over with a smile as well.

"Oh, he gets the inside in one."

The first barrier among twelve runners.

After confirming the Arabic numeral written on the card once more, I frowned slightly.

It was somewhat better than starting from a wide outside draw, but barrier one on the inside was hardly ideal for Baozuo either.

If the goal was to defeat Ka