One morning in August, I woke up before the alarm rang.
Then I looked at my phone.
[03:57]
It wasn't even four yet.
I remembered getting up at around the same time yesterday, too. It was as though my biological clock had been waking me earlier each day along with the changing position of the sun's direct rays.
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But that was fine, too.
It was as though the gloom of the first half of the year had been swept away. Whether they were the recuperating three-year-olds and older horses or the yearlings beginning their training, everyone had maintained excellent condition since summer began.
Poetic Banquet had originally planned to use a prep race as a warm-up before heading to the Autumn Shuka Sho, but after discussing it with Trainer Ikee and jockey Devon Coe, they had decided to go straight for the final leg of the Fillies' Classic.
I threw off the covers, got up, washed my face, and began the day's work.
I inspected the stables, then gathered and turned out the horses in groups. The training had been scheduled a little later than usual.
The reason, apparently, was that this was the hottest day in Hokkaido. Arayama, who was scheduled to train, and Mr. Yutaka, who was scheduled to ride in a trial, would be coming over to the farm. Majima and Sasagawa were also visiting the farm.
Besides that, today was the day for group riding training for the yearling generation.
When there was only one horse, both the humans and the horse could more or less handle things well enough. But once the number of horses increased, the scene inevitably became chaotic.
Aside from "Little Light," the "Demon King," there was actually another hidden troublemaker in the yearling group.
Alex, whose coat had