Cloudstream Flying Shadow's New Home and Race Schedule

After buying Cloudstream Flying Shadow, Zhang Jun immediately took the paperwork to the racing association in Mindu to complete the ownership transfer.

He then called Lin Zhi, telling him that he had bought a new three-year-old mare and planned to place her in his stable. He also told Lin Zhi that he believed Cloudstream Flying Shadow was a turf horse, asking him to handle the cancellation of her Central Racing registration, her Local Racing registration, and her stable transfer.

Lin Zhi readily agreed. Ever since Luo Fei had called him and told him about Zhang Jun's plans for the future, he had made up his mind to strengthen their cooperation.

Although Lin Zhi was a local trainer and Zhang Jun would inevitably focus on Central Racing in the future, everyone had successors, didn't they?

Lin Zhi's only son, Lin Zhen, was currently studying as an assistant in a Central Racing trainer's stable, preparing to obtain his Central Racing trainer's license. If Lin Zhi strengthened his cooperation with Zhang Jun, then once Lin Zhen earned his Central Racing license, his stable would immediately have a partner to work with.

Moreover, local jockeys and trainers could also obtain Central Racing licenses. While Lin Zhi himself had no such plans, Shan Yao still had plenty of time to earn one. Strengthening their cooperation with Zhang Jun would give her resources once she entered Central Racing as well.

Before long, Lin Zhi had completed Cloudstream Flying Shadow's stable-release procedures. All that remained was to register Cloudstream Flying Shadow as a racehorse under Lin Zhi's stable.

The Wednesday when Cloudstream Flying Shadow arrived at Jian'an Racetrack was a drizzly afternoon.

Zhang Jun arrived at Lin Zhi's stable half an hour early to wait for Cloudstream Flying Shadow. University classes were usually not scheduled for Wednesday afternoons, leaving students time for club activities. Besides, the majors Zhang Jun had enrolled in could all be studied remotely, with most lessons conducted online.

Lin Zhi and Zheng Shan were also waiting at the entrance early. Lin Zhi had already discussed it with Zhang Jun and arranged for Zheng Shan to serve as Cloudstream Flying Shadow's groom. Zhang Jun had a good impression of Zheng Shan and raised no objection.

As for Shan Yao, she had several races to compete in that day.

"She's here!" Zheng Shan spotted the white horse trailer in the fine rain from far away.

The trailer stopped in front of the stable. Zheng Shan approached with the anti-slip ramp, and after the driver opened the rear door, he pushed the ramp into place, walked up, and slowly led Cloudstream Flying Shadow down.

Zhang Jun walked over to Cloudstream Flying Shadow and offered her a carrot. "Welcome to your new home."

Cloudstream Flying Shadow watched her new owner with deep brown eyes, snorted, then lowered her head and took the carrot into her mouth to chew.

Lin Zhi circled Cloudstream Flying Shadow, studying her closely. He furrowed his brow and rubbed the stubble on his chin. "This girl's physique and conformation... no matter how I look at her, she's a turf horse."

His tone was full of confusion. "What were those CRA guys doing before? Why did they keep making this girl run on dirt? She should have been racing on turf from the very beginning."

CRA stood for China Racing Association, the abbreviation for the Huaxia Central Racing Association. Incidentally, the English name for the Huaxia Local Racing Association was CNARF, China National Association of Racing Federation, the Huaxia Local Racing Federation.

Zhang Jun shrugged beside him. "She did run a 1,200-meter turf race this April and finished sixth. I think they might not have found the right distance."

Lin Zhi agreed. "Mr. Zhang, let Cloudstream Flying Shadow rest today and recover from the fatigue of the journey. Tomorrow, I'll begin testing her distance suitability and running style, and try to get her racing as soon as possible."

Zhang Jun nodded. "Then I'll leave her to you."

Zheng Shan led Cloudstream Flying Shadow into the stall that had long been prepared for her—spacious, clean, and well-ventilated. The straw bedding was laid thick, while the hanging feed bucket held fresh pasture grass, oats, and hay.

Zhang Jun had specifically paid extra for Lin Zhi to use the best and thickest bedding and feed. Shadow Hunter's stable and meals were treated the same way.

A few days later, time reached the fourth week of September. Lin Zhi called Zhang Jun and asked him to come to the training center to discuss Cloudstream Flying Shadow's races for the remaining three months of the year.

Zhang Jun rode his little electric scooter to the agreed-upon restaurant, where Lin Zhi was already waiting.

Zhang Jun took his seat, accepted the menu Lin Zhi handed over, ordered a dish, and took the hot water the waiter brought him.

"Mr. Zhang, over the past few days, I've tested Cloudstream Flying Shadow's distances and running styles. During the track renovations, I also borrowed the racetrack to test her surface suitability."

Holding his cup, Lin Zhi spoke in amazement. "Cloudstream Flying Shadow's performance on turf exceeded my expectations. Her stride is light yet powerful, and she accelerates quickly. Her turf aptitude is absolutely top-tier."

"As for race distance, Cloudstream Flying Shadow's lower limit is 1,400 meters, but her most suitable range is 1,600 to 2,000 meters. At 2,200 meters, she exceeds her limit and lacks the stamina."

As he spoke, he could not help adding, "I really don't know what those CRA bastards were thinking. Every race they arranged for Cloudstream Flying Shadow was between 1,000 and 1,400 meters, and all of them were on dirt. Did something go wrong with their brains?"

Zhang Jun smiled and nodded, echoing him once before Lin Zhi continued.

"As for running style, Cloudstream Flying Shadow has excellent acceleration. She can reach top speed in one and a half seconds. From that perspective, her best styles are stalking and closing from behind, though we can also try racing prominently."

"Based on Cloudstream Flying Shadow's Central Racing earnings, she can directly enter the CN3 Jian'an Mares' Championship this Friday. If you'd prefer for her to adapt first, she can also enter the Class B Upper Group race held that same day. What do you think, Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Jun considered it for a moment. "I think Cloudstream Flying Shadow is fully capable of winning a graded race. Let's make the Mares' Championship her Local Racing debut."

"All right." Lin Zhi continued, "Then, with safety as the first priority, we'll let Cloudstream Flying Shadow rest for a few days after the race before resuming training. If she wins the Mares' Championship, I plan to enter her in the CN1 Eight-Min Mile Turf Grand Prix in the third week of November."

Like CN3, CN1 only counts as local results or as a Central Racing G2 for Central Racing horses, trainers, and jockeys, because both the prize money and race quality are arranged at the Grade 2 level.

"It's a 1,600-meter turf race held in Mindu. For Cloudstream Flying Shadow, whose late kick is her strength, it's a favorable event. If she doesn't win, she'll enter the Grade 3 Southern Min Queen Cup in the fourth week of November, held at Jiahe Racecourse. Its final straight is also very long."

"After those two races, we'll add a Class A race in early January as the finale. That will wrap up this year, and she'll return to Jianzhou Ranch to rest before racing again next year."

Lin Zhi calculated the year according to the lunar calendar, so a new year would not begin until the Spring Festival in February.

Zhang Jun nodded. "Let's follow Teacher Lin Zhi's arrangements. I don't understand these things, so leave professional matters to professionals."

A faint smile appeared on Lin Zhi's face. Owners like Zhang Jun, who knew how to delegate authority, were trainers' favorites. "Then, regarding the jockey..."

"Let Shan Yao ride her. She rode Shadow Hunter very well in his maiden race." Zhang Jun replied.

Lin Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. Shan Yao had finally found a new owner to work with.

After they had discussed Cloudstream Flying Shadow's race schedule, the dishes gradually arrived. Once they finished eating, the two left the restaurant and went to Lin Zhi's stable.

After a week of settling in, Cloudstream Flying Shadow, who was practically a veteran compared with the other three young horses, had become familiar with her new surroundings. When she saw her new owner enter the stable, she took the initiative to come to the stall door.

A smile appeared on Zhang Jun's face. He stroked Cloudstream Flying Shadow as he took a carrot from his bag. "Do your best in next month's race."

Cloudstream Flying Shadow took the carrot into her mouth, snorted, and nodded up and down—of course she would do her best. Now that she could finally run on the turf she loved, she had no intention of losing again.