Sapporo, Hokkaido.
"The weather's getting colder."
Koichi walked toward Gold Ship's stable, eating fried chicken and rice balls.
He did not have much time to rest this time. Gold Ship's race was only a few days away, after all, and he needed to get a feel for the horse's current condition beforehand.
The upcoming graded stakes for two-year-olds were important to him.
Part of it was to pay off his debts, and the other part was to buy a new foal.
By his reckoning, it was about time.
He could not say the foal had been born yet, but it was certainly safe to say it was in its mother's belly.
"Young master, over here!"
By the time Koichi arrived, Miku Kuchiki and Yamana Takuto were already waiting for him.
They had actually been ready yesterday, but something had suddenly come up on Koichi's end, so they had been forced to adjust their plans accordingly.
"You've lost quite a bit of weight again."
Koichi gave Miku a light knock on the head.
Looking after Gold Ship was no easy task, especially since he was particularly mischievous when getting up every morning and having a bath.
Fortunately, the exercise rider they had found was very responsible. No matter how badly Gold Ship behaved, he still made sure the horse completed his training.
"Congratulations on winning the Kobe Shimbun Hai, Jockey Sasaki."
Yamana Takuto was just as excited as ever to see his idol again.
He had watched this race with the trainer and Miku.
That final stretch had been as spectacular as ever!
"Yeah, thanks for all your hard work lately. Making a newcomer like you deal with Gold Ship was asking a bit too much."
Koichi nodded, then looked at him.
Fortunately, he had not complained or asked for a