Shadow Hunter and Cloudstream Flying Shadow's New Season Plans

[The new season is starting! After a few transition chapters, Cloudstream Flying Shadow's central circuit campaign will begin, and Shadow Hunter's early rival will also appear.]

The bustle of the Spring Festival gradually faded away. As February arrived, temperatures in Min Province slowly rose, carrying the first hints of early spring.

Zhang Jun rode the little electric scooter that had been with him for over half a year along the country roads on the outskirts of Jian'an.

Farmers were already busy turning the soil in the fields on either side of the road, preparing for the spring plowing in March. Every now and then, a few egrets flew past and landed by the paddies to forage.

Zhang Jun had arranged to meet Lin Zhi today to discuss Shadow Hunter and Cloudstream Flying Shadow's plans for the year.

He parked his little scooter outside the training center, picked up the tea leaves he had brought for Lin Zhi, and walked inside with practiced familiarity.

Inside the stables, Zheng Shan was grooming a newly arrived horse. When he saw Zhang Jun enter, he greeted him with a smile. "Mr. Zhang, you're here. Master is already waiting for you in the meeting room."

"Thanks for the effort." Zhang Jun nodded, then casually pulled several horse treats from his pocket and handed them to Zheng Shan. "There were extras left over from when I made treats for Shadow Hunter and the others. Let the other kids have a taste."

Zheng Shan accepted the treats and thanked him on behalf of the young horses with a smile.

When Zhang Jun pushed open the meeting room door, Lin Zhi was already seated inside. A stack of documents lay spread out before him, and he was writing and marking notes with a pen. Seeing Zhang Jun enter, he stood to greet him. "Mr. Zhang, it has been a long time."

"Mr. Lin, it has been a long time." Zhang Jun handed him the tea leaves.

Lin Zhi did not stand on ceremony. He accepted the tea and set it aside, then poured Zhang Jun a cup. "Please sit, Mr. Zhang. Let's first discuss Shadow Hunter and Cloudstream Flying Shadow's arrangements for the new season."

Zhang Jun sat down, lifted his teacup, and took a sip. "Go ahead."

Lin Zhi opened the folder before him and pushed it across the table. "This is a draft of Shadow Hunter's race plan for the new season."

Zhang Jun lowered his head to look. On the first page was a photograph of Shadow Hunter—taken after he won the Eight Min Two-Year-Old Championship last year. The chestnut colt held his head high, his eyes bright, draped in a winner's blanket.

"Shadow Hunter is three years old now." Lin Zhi's voice carried a note of solemnity. "He has entered the Classic year, the most important period in a racehorse's career. What awaits him is the Eight Min Local Triple Crown Series, regarded as the highest honor in Min Province."

He pointed at the race schedule in the document. "Shadow Hunter's performance last year was clear for all to see: three starts, three wins, including one CN1. With his ability, he is fully qualified to challenge the Eight Min Derby."

"Given the packed Triple Crown schedule and your request to keep the intervals between races as long as possible, I plan to have Shadow Hunter run in a warm-up race in March, then head straight for the Eight Min Derby in May."

He paused before continuing. "If the Derby goes well, he will train through September, with a summer break back at the ranch in between. Then, in early September or the final week of August, he will run another warm-up race to prepare for the Huaxia Breeders Series in October."

As he listened to Lin Zhi's explanation, Zhang Jun flipped through the documents.

The file listed every race in detail: its date, location, distance, track conditions, as well as post-race recovery and turnout arrangements.

There was ample time between every race. Even the shortest gap was five weeks, fully adhering to the principle of safety first.

"You've put a lot of thought into this." Zhang Jun closed the file and looked at Lin Zhi. "I have no objections to Shadow Hunter's arrangement. Let's do as you said. What about Cloudstream Flying Shadow?"

Lin Zhi handed over another file. "As for Cloudstream Flying Shadow, I have a bold idea."

Zhang Jun took the file and opened it. On the first page was a photograph of Cloudstream Flying Shadow—at the moment the blue-gray mare crossed the line in the Eight Min Mile Race. Shan Yao was pressed low against her back, the pursuing pack behind them, the image frozen at its most thrilling instant.

"Take a look." Lin Zhi pointed at the race schedule. "Cloudstream Flying Shadow's performance last year was obvious to everyone. She won both Graded Stakes she entered, including one CN1."

"I have been in contact with Jianzhou Ranch these past few days. Cloudstream Flying Shadow has grown again physically lately, which suggests that she is a late-maturing type. Her peak ability will most likely come between this year, when she is four, and next year, when she is five."

Zhang Jun nodded. Of course he knew that.

Excitement was buried in Lin Zhi's voice. "So, I plan to have Cloudstream Flying Shadow challenge the central circuit."

Hearing Lin Zhi's words, Zhang Jun froze. Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

"The central circuit?"

"Yes." Lin Zhi's eyes gleamed.

"Cloudstream Flying Shadow came from the central circuit to compete locally in the first place. Her strength has already been proven in CN1-level races. She is four this year and about to enter her prime. Why shouldn't we try going back?"

Zhang Jun fell silent for a moment and looked down at the file.

Lin Zhi's plan was detailed: in late March, she would first run in the Jiahe Stakes, a central circuit G3 over 1,800 meters on turf. Then, in June, she would enter a G2, with the specific race to be decided based on her performance in the Jiahe Stakes.

After that, depending on the situation, she would be entered in a G2 or G1 Graded Stakes in September, followed by an additional G1 in December to close out the season. There would be two months of rest between every two races.

"Central G1..." Zhang Jun murmured.

That was the highest stage in Huaxia racing. Every G1 was a battle among the finest racehorses in the country. Cloudstream Flying Shadow might be unbeatable locally, but could she make it on the central circuit?

Zhang Jun hesitated. It was a G1 race, after all. By his calculations, a racehorse needed at least C-rank speed and A-rank or higher in other key attributes to have a chance at winning.

Lin Zhi seemed to see Zhang Jun's concerns. He said seriously, "Mr. Zhang, I know what you are worried about. But I can responsibly tell you that, with Cloudstream Flying Shadow's current ability, she absolutely has what it takes to compete at the central G2 level. As for G1..."

He paused, his gaze resolute. "There are no absolutes in racing. On the track, anything can happen. Besides, Cloudstream Flying Shadow is still growing. After September, she will definitely be stronger than she is now."

Zhang Jun raised his head and looked out the window.

Sunlight streamed through the meeting room's glass windows and fell across the tabletop, forming a warm patch of light.

He remembered Cloudstream Flying Shadow's performance in the Eight Min Mile Race—that blue-gray figure launching a fierce attack from the outside, that unyielding will to never give up.

"Fine." Zhang Jun's gaze hardened as he looked at Lin Zhi. "We'll do as you say. But I still mean what I said—safety first."

Lin Zhi smiled, delight written across his face. "Don't worry. I remember."

By the time they had discussed everything, it was already noon.

Lin Zhi wanted to keep Zhang Jun for lunch, but Zhang Jun waved his hand and declined.

He still had to return to Jianzhou Ranch. That afternoon, he needed to check on the mares preparing to be bred—February in the Northern Hemisphere was when the mares gradually began coming into heat. He had already arranged dates with stallion stations around the country, and breeding would begin one after another in March.

As he rode his little scooter back, Zhang Jun kept thinking about Cloudstream Flying Shadow challenging the central circuit.

A central G1...

If she could win even one, even if it were only a G2 or G3, Cloudstream Flying Shadow's place in history would be completely different. Not to mention, if she could truly win a G1, that would mean...