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 three-year-old filly 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 her cancellation from central racing, registration for local racing, and 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 decided 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 descendants.
Lin Zhi's only son, Lin Zhen, was currently studying as an assistant in a central trainer's stable, preparing to earn his central trainer's license. By strengthening his cooperation with Zhang Jun, Lin Zhen would immediately have a partner once he obtained his central qualifications.
Moreover, local jockeys and trainers could also earn central licenses. While Lin Zhi himself had no such plans, Shan Yao still had plenty of time to take the exams. Strengthening their cooperation with Zhang Jun would give her resources when she entered central racing in the future.
Before long, Lin Zhi had completed Cloudstream Flying Shadow's withdrawal procedures. The next step was registering her as a racehorse under Lin Zhi's stable.
The Wednesday 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 on Wednesday afternoons, leaving the time for student club activities. Besides, the programs Zhang Jun had enrolled in could all be studied remotely, with most courses held online.
Lin Zhi and Zheng Shan were also waiting outside early. Lin Zhi had already discussed it with Zhang Jun: Zheng Shan would serve as Cloudstream Flying Shadow's groom. Zhang Jun had a favorable impression of Zheng Shan and did not object.
As for Shan Yao, she had several races to ride that day.
"She's here!" Zheng Shan spotted the white horse transport truck through the misty rain from afar.
The transport truck stopped outside the stable. Zheng Shan pushed over the ramp fitted with anti-slip mats. After the driver opened the rear door, Zheng Shan set the ramp in place, walked up, and led Cloudstream Flying Shadow slowly down.
Zhang Jun went to Cloudstream Flying Shadow's side and offered her a carrot. "Welcome to your new home."
Cloudstream Flying Shadow gazed at her new owner with dark brown eyes, snorted, lowered her head, and took the carrot into her mouth to chew.
Lin Zhi circled Cloudstream Flying Shadow as he examined her, frowning deeply and rubbing the stubble on his chin. "This girl's physique and build... No matter how I look at her, she's a turf horse."
His tone was full of confusion. "What were those CRA people doing before? Why did they keep making this girl run on dirt? She should have been running on turf from the very beginning."
CRA stood for China Racing Association, the abbreviation for the Huaxia Central Racing Association. Incidentally, the English abbreviation for the Huaxia Local Racing Association was CNARF, China National Association of Racing Federation, the Huaxia Local Racing Federation.
Zhang Jun shrugged at the side. "She did run a 1,200-meter turf race this April and finished sixth. I think they might have picked the wrong distance."
Lin Zhi agreed. "Mr. Zhang, let Cloudstream Flying Shadow rest today and recover from the fatigue of travel. Tomorrow, I'll begin assessing her preferred distances and running style, and get her ready to debut as soon as possible."
Zhang Jun nodded. "Then I'll leave her to you."
Zheng Shan led Cloudstream Flying Shadow into the already prepared stall—spacious, clean, and well ventilated. The bedding hay was laid thickly, while the hanging feed bucket contained 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 received the same treatment in her stable and meals.
A few days later, the fourth week of September arrived. Lin Zhi called Zhang Jun and invited him 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 sat down, accepted the menu Lin Zhi handed him, ordered a dish, and took the hot water the server brought over.
"Mr. Zhang, over the past few days, I've tested Cloudstream Flying Shadow's distances and running style. During the renovation period, I also borrowed the racetrack to test her surface suitability."
Holding his cup of water, Lin Zhi spoke in amazement. "Cloudstream Flying Shadow's performance on turf exceeded my expectations. Her stride is light and powerful, and she accelerates quickly. Her turf suitability is absolutely top-tier."
"As for race distance, Cloudstream Flying Shadow's lower limit is 1,400 meters, but her ideal 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 a complaint. "Who knows what those CRA bastards were thinking. Every race they arranged for Cloudstream Flying Shadow was between 1,000 and 1,400 meters, and on dirt besides. Were their brains broken?"
Zhang Jun smiled and nodded in agreement as Lin Zhi continued.
"In terms of running style, Cloudstream Flying Shadow has excellent acceleration. She can reach top speed in a second and a half. From that standpoint, she is best suited to closing from behind or coming from the rear, though we can also try a forward position."
"Based on Cloudstream Flying Shadow's central racing earnings, she can enter this Friday's CN3 Jian'an Mares' Championship directly. If you want her to acclimate first, she can also run in the Class B1 race held that same day. What do you think, Mr. Zhang?"
Zhang Jun pondered for a moment. "I believe Cloudstream Flying Shadow is fully capable of winning a Graded Stakes race. Let's make the Mares' Championship her local debut."
"All right." Lin Zhi continued, "Then, following the safety-first principle, 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, held in the third week of November."
[Just like CN3, CN1 only counts as local results or as G2 results in central racing for central racehorses, trainers, and jockeys, because both its prize money and race quality are arranged at the level of a second-tier race.]
"It's a 1,600-meter turf race held in Mindu. It will favor Cloudstream Flying Shadow, who excels in the final kick. If she doesn't win, then she'll enter the Southern Min Queen Cup, a Grade 3 race held in the fourth week of November at Jiahe Racecourse, where the final straight is equally long."
"After those two races, we'll finish the year with a Class A race in early January. Then she'll return to Jianzhou Ranch to rest and begin racing again next year."
Lin Zhi calculated years according to the lunar calendar, so a new year did not begin until the Spring Festival in February.
Zhang Jun nodded. "Let's follow Teacher Lin Zhi's arrangement. I don't understand these matters, so leave professional work to professionals."
A faint smile appeared on Lin Zhi's face. Owners like Zhang Jun, who could delegate authority, were trainers' favorites. "Then, regarding the jockey..."
"Let's have Shan Yao ride her. She did very well in Shadow Hunter's Debutant Race before," Zhang Jun replied.
Lin Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. Shan Yao had finally found a new owner to work with.
After discussing Cloudstream Flying Shadow's race schedule, the dishes gradually arrived. Once they finished eating, the two men left the restaurant and went to Lin Zhi's stable.
After a week of acclimating, Cloudstream Flying Shadow, who was relatively experienced compared with the other three young horses, had already become familiar with her new surroundings. When she saw her new owner enter the stable, she walked up to the stall door on her own.
A smile appeared on Zhang Jun's face. He stroked Cloudstream Flying Shadow while taking 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. Having finally gotten the chance to race on the turf she liked, she had no intention of losing again.