The first strategy meeting.
Four people attended: Koichi Sasaki, Keigo Kudo, Ayano Aoe, and the Assistant.
"Since both the trainer and jockey are here today, let's discuss our expectations for the next race."
Ayano Aoe spoke from the head of the table.
Naturally, they needed to understand the current situation before the upcoming race.
This strategy meeting was being held at a hotel owned by the Aoe Conglomerate.
"Miss Aoe, judging by Golden Masterpiece's current condition, the Tokyo Yushun's twenty-four hundred meters will be no problem at all. As for adapting to the Tokyo course, Golden Masterpiece already performed very well in the last race."
Keigo Kudo cleared his throat softly before speaking.
Over the past few days, he had been watching Golden Masterpiece train and recording the data.
He was therefore quite confident on that front. The Stablehand had indeed been taking excellent care of Golden Masterpiece.
He even felt that Golden Masterpiece could handle the Kikuka Sho's three thousand meters.
"Yes, the performance in the Satsuki Sho was certainly good. As long as that can be maintained, the Tokyo Yushun really shouldn't be a problem."
Ayano Aoe nodded, then her tone shifted.
"But! We should still be more careful this time, especially after that last performance. The other jockeys will target Golden Masterpiece more, which could easily prevent us from getting the results we'd hoped for."
None of the jockeys competing in a Grade 1 race were fools. They would certainly target Golden Masterpiece this time.
Golden Masterpiece's weakness was also obvious.
Box Golden Masterpiece in, and that explosive burst in the closing stages would be gone.
And so.
The pressure fell on Koichi Sasaki.
As the owner and trainer, neither of them could take to the track, so everything would still depend on the jockey's performance during