The Melbourne Cup began under the gaze of the still-roaring stands, and the race unfolded much as expected.
The break from the gates was less a tango determined to settle a rivalry than a graceful, lyrical waltz.
From the far end of the long straight came the sound of hoofbeats, some steady, some light.
As always, Traveler propelled herself forward with light, nimble strides.
Elegant and beautiful.
Her breath misted white, her hoofbeats rang out, and the air trembled.
"Mejiro Traveler has broken well. Gunfire takes the early lead, with McDonald close behind. Alkmaar is well placed. Gunfire leads now, and Mejiro Traveler is trying to move toward the rail. Through the first two hundred meters, the overall pace isn't particularly fast."
A solo performance by the favorite-that had been the pre-race assessment. With no strong front-runner in the field, and second favorite Silver Tongue Rock having withdrawn, the race had been expected to unfold at a slow pace.
The horse actually setting the pace was Gunfire, a listed-race winner now eight years old. With the jockey aboard unwilling to break the wind for everyone else for nothing, the pace was naturally unlikely to rise.
It probably had nothing to do with targeting the overwhelming favorite, but after the break, the horses on both sides had crowded inward in unison.
The chance to secure a position vanished in an instant.
Yet Jin Meiqi and Traveler, partnering for the first time, used Gunfire's slow tempo to advance steadily, step by step.
No hesitation, no retreat.
The hoofbeats were close at hand, and the fans beneath the awning below had already erupted into a clamor.
"...And Space Elevator is bringing up the rear for now. Gunfire still leads, while Black Lion on the rail is moving up to challenge for the lead.