Debutant Race: Wind-Chasing Hound

Jian'an in November was deep into autumn, with a slight chill in the air.

Zhang Jun stood outside the stable area at Jian'an Racetrack, warm sunlight falling over him and bringing a comfortable warmth.

Tomorrow would be Wind-Chasing Hound's debut race.

This little chestnut filly had been stabled for over two months. After more than two months of adjustment, she could now calmly handle both training and the racetrack environment.

Zhang Jun felt a little wistful. Time really flew.

When he bought Wind-Chasing Hound at the auction last July, she had only been one year old. She would hide timidly in the depths of her stall every day, not even daring to look at him. Now she was about to race.

After showing his owner's credentials to the guard at the stable entrance, Zhang Jun entered the stable area.

Lin Zhi happened to be heading out and greeted Zhang Jun with a smile.

"Brother Jun."

Zhang Jun answered, and Lin Zhi walked over to him. "Hound's in great condition. Everything has been checked, and there's nothing wrong. Zheng Shan is grooming her now, so go take a look. I still need to get back and watch the other horses train, so I'll be off."

Zhang Jun nodded. "Take care."

Wind-Chasing Hound lived in a stall deeper within the stable area, surrounded by mares. The nearest stallion was three stalls away—stallions and mares had to be kept apart. Put them together, and the stallions might get overly excited and do something inappropriate.

Inside the stall, Zheng Shan was braiding Wind-Chasing Hound's mane.

The little filly, now weighing over four hundred kilograms, stood quietly in the middle of her stall. Her ears turned softly as she listened to the sounds around her.

When she saw Zhang Jun approach the stall, Wind-Chasing Hound's