Yasuda Memorial, Part 1

June 2, Tokyo Racecourse.

The afternoon sun spilled across the turf, and the track staff had already inspected every inch of grass.

Zhang Jun stood beside the parade ring, watching Shadow Hunter and Cloudstream Flying Shadow being led out by Zheng Shan and Lin Zhi.

Shadow Hunter was in excellent condition today. His reddish chestnut coat gleamed brilliantly under the sun, and his steps were light yet powerful. As he walked, he carried the air of a horse who had never known defeat. His ears stood high, his eyes shone brightly, and he brimmed with fighting spirit.

By comparison, Cloudstream Flying Shadow was much steadier, her head lowered as she walked at an unhurried pace.

But a closer look revealed the sharp gleam in Cloudstream Flying Shadow's eyes, like a sword hidden within its sheath.

Shan Yao and Ryuji Wada had already put on Zhang Jun's racing silks: a blue base with white horses, black sleeves with yellow waves, fine golden stripes, and a white galloping-horse design that stood out sharply amid the many patterns.

After bowing toward the stands, the jockeys mounted with the help of the stablehands and trainers, then rode their horses onto the track.

Lin Zhi and the other man emerged from the passageway, greeted Zhang Jun, and took seats in the stablehands' section to receive the horses after the race. Zhang Jun nodded to them before turning and heading to the owners' box.

After several minutes on the track, a vehicle by the rails raised a small platform. The person on it lifted a flag, and the band began playing an opening tune that sounded as though it had been popular in the last century. Accompanied by the music, racecourse attendants dressed in green led the horses into the gates one by one. Cloudstream Flying