Eight Min Mile Race ①

After leaving the meeting room, Zhang Jun and Lin Zhi found a restaurant, booked a private room, and held a tactical meeting.

"The gate draw is favorable for us."

Lin Zhi spread out the track map he had brought with him and pointed at Gate Six on the starting line.

"We can either settle in behind naturally, or have Cloudstream Flying Shadow follow the front-running group. Just make sure she doesn't get boxed in."

"Considering Cloudstream Flying Shadow's running style and explosive power, I think it would be best to sit just behind the pace, move up on the bends, and decide the race in the final straight. What do you think?"

Lin Zhi looked at Zhang Jun. Zhang Jun shook his head, indicating that he had no objections. He had always refrained from interfering with the trainer's arrangements.

Seeing that Zhang Jun agreed with his plan, Lin Zhi turned to Shan Yao.

"Shan Yao, among the horses in this race, only two specialize in front-running, while nine favor stalking the pace. That makes eleven horses in the front group.

So don't rush to fight for position after the gates open. Once they've settled their order, keep Cloudstream Flying Shadow around twelfth or thirteenth in the field.

For the first eight hundred meters, follow behind the stalking group. Don't let her fall too far back. Start moving up on the second straight, enter the stalking pack at the fourth turn, and find a route for the sprint.

Keep an eye on Golden Spear, Iron Horse and Mindu Laser during the race. Mindu Laser will most likely stalk the pace as before, running around fifth to eighth. Golden Spear, Iron Horse is a closer and should be positioned about where we are.

If Golden Spear, Iron Horse is behind us, keep your eyes on Mindu Laser. Chen Wei, who used to be Golden Spear, Iron Horse's regular jockey, is riding Mindu Laser now. There must be a reason Chen Wei gave up Golden Spear, Iron Horse to choose Mindu Laser.

If Golden Spear, Iron Horse is ahead of Cloudstream Flying Shadow, watch Golden Spear, Iron Horse instead. Golden Spear, Iron Horse will most likely mark Mindu Laser, and we'll use Golden Spear, Iron Horse to open a path."

Shan Yao nodded. "Understood. I'll use marking tactics and keep an eye on Mindu Laser and Golden Spear, Iron Horse."

Lin Zhi nodded approvingly. "That's right. One more thing: don't get trapped in traffic. It's better to run wide and waste some ground than to lose the space to sprint."

"I understand. Cloudstream Flying Shadow's finishing kick is her greatest weapon. As long as she can bring it out on Mindu's four-hundred-and-twenty-eight-meter straight, we can win."

Shan Yao's expression turned solemn.

After they finally finished talking, Zhang Jun set down his chopsticks. "It may be something I've said many times, but I still have to stress it: safety comes first. Even if we lose the race, Cloudstream Flying Shadow must not get hurt."

Shan Yao nodded gravely. "I understand."

On Wednesday of the third week of November, before dawn had even broken, Mindu Racecourse was already bustling with activity.

The staff inspected the track to ensure it was level and free of potholes, while the cleaners swept the stands and passageways.

The stable area had awakened even earlier. Grooms brushed the competing horses, checked their horseshoes, and prepared breakfast, while trainers examined the horses' condition to make sure nothing would go wrong during the race.

Although the turf grand prix would be the ninth race in the afternoon, Zhang Jun arrived at the racecourse stables early.

He was still terribly nervous. He had not slept at all the night before, lying in his dormitory bed with his eyes open, staring at the mosquito net all night.

Cloudstream Flying Shadow had already finished breakfast and was strolling leisurely around her stall. When she saw Zhang Jun arrive, she walked over to the fence and rubbed against him.

o(^＠^)o

Zhang Jun narrowed his eyes, stroked Cloudstream Flying Shadow's neck, and fed her a few carrot treats. "Do your best this afternoon."

Cloudstream Flying Shadow stopped chewing and stared at Zhang Jun with her dark brown eyes for a moment. Then she narrowed her eyes and nodded firmly.

(⌒▽⌒)☆

"You're confident? That's good."

Zhang Jun let out a long breath. Even the horse herself is confident. What do I have to be afraid of?

Lin Zhi came in from outside. "Cloudstream Flying Shadow is in excellent condition. She's three kilograms heavier than she was in the last race, all of it effective muscle gain. Her horseshoes and everything else are fine too."

Zhang Jun nodded. "This afternoon's race is in your and Shan Yao's hands. And of course, yours as well."

He turned back, rubbed Cloudstream Flying Shadow's ears, then said goodbye to Lin Zhi. He planned to return to the dormitory for some sleep and conserve his energy for the afternoon's race.

At 4:20 in the afternoon, Zhang Jun arrived punctually at Mindu's owners' box and took his seat. In another five minutes, the horses competing in the turf grand prix would enter the track.

After a total of eleven turf races over the previous two days and today, Mindu Racecourse's turf track had deteriorated to yielding ground. The inside in particular had already reached heavy-ground conditions.

It was foreseeable that the horses in today's race would all be racing at least four or five paths off the rail.

On the big screen, the commentator and guests chatted idly, trying to fill the time before the horses entered.

Luo Fei and the others were also waiting in the box. Although Jian'an Black Crane had drawn the unfavorable outside Gate Seventeen and had virtually no hope of winning, it was still a Graded Stakes race and close by, so they had decided to come and watch.

The horses soon entered the track. Cloudstream Flying Shadow was the sixth out, her strides light and powerful. She looked to be in excellent condition.

"She looks to be in great shape." Luo Fei looked toward Cloudstream Flying Shadow.

"Even though she's only the fifth favorite, judging by her condition, Cloudstream Flying Shadow is fully capable of fighting for victory in this race."

Zhang Jun was a little nervous. Standing by the window of the box, he looked toward the starting gates. "Then I'll borrow Uncle Luo's good wishes."

The warm-up ended quickly. Cloudstream Flying Shadow was led before Gate Six, and Shan Yao, seated on her back, took a deep breath.

This was Shan Yao's first time on the stage of a Grade One Race, and she was entering as the fifth favorite.

She patted Cloudstream Flying Shadow's neck. "Let's win our first Grade One Race title together, partner!"

Cloudstream Flying Shadow snorted, and her gaze gradually grew serious.

"It's starting." Zhang Jun unconsciously clenched his hands and held his breath.

The commentator's voice rang out. "Race Nine at Mindu Racecourse, the seventy-second CN1 Eight-Min Mile Turf Grand Prix. The going is yielding. And now... they're off!"

As the commentator's voice fell, the gates burst open with a bang, and fifteen horses shot out like arrows loosed from a bow!

"A very clean break! As expected of the region's highest-level event, not a single horse was slow from the gates!"

Zhang Jun's eyes remained fixed on Cloudstream Flying Shadow.

Just as planned, Cloudstream Flying Shadow emerged around eighth or ninth in the pack without fighting for position. Instead, she maintained her speed and gradually eased back through the field.

"Currently in front is Number One, Green Mountains, Clear Waters, followed by Number Three, Treading Snow in Search of Plum Blossoms. As expected, these two are battling for the lead!"

"Number Two, Brilliant Starlight, and Number Five, Song of the Immortals in the Grotto, are close behind. On the outside is Number Seven..."

As they entered the bend from the straight, the field quickly split into two groups.

At the very front, Green Mountains, Clear Waters and Treading Snow in Search of Plum Blossoms fought for the lead. One length behind them was the stalking group led by Brilliant Starlight, and three-quarters of a length behind that was the closing group led by Cloudstream Flying Shadow.

Cloudstream Flying Shadow was currently twelfth in the field. Shan Yao lifted her head and looked ahead.