"Looks like the track has improved quite a bit."
Kenichi Ikezoe had changed into his riding clothes and spoke as he watched the television.
The race currently being held at Sapporo Racecourse was the one before theirs. The rain had stopped at noon, and the track rating had improved from heavy to yielding.
That was what the rating said, but they would only know how the track really felt once they ran on it.
At least the race he had ridden that afternoon had felt reasonably good.
"So we're up next."
Koichi spoke from his seat beside Kenichi Ikezoe.
After this race, he could rest for a little while before heading to Kyoto.
The place where his dream had begun.
"Let's wait a little longer. The horses should be coming in soon."
From where they were, they had a clear view of the horses entering.
"Aren't you cold?"
"Not too bad. The weight vest looks thick, but it doesn't keep you warm at all. That's how winter races are, so you'd better have your stablehand get you a thick coat."
Kenichi Ikezoe turned toward him as he spoke.
As a veteran jockey, he naturally had experience with this sort of thing.
"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem."
"They're coming in."
As he finished speaking, the thirteen horses competing in the Sapporo Two-Year-Old Stakes began entering one after another.
Gold Ship happened to be the first in.
Compared with his debut race, his weight was now back up to five hundred kilograms.
His gray coat stood out wherever he went.
"Looks like he's still as restless as ever."
"It's fine. I've already prepared myself mentally. I wasn't expecting another good break from him anyway."
Hearing the veteran's assessment, Koichi could only spread his hands helplessly.
Whether they could run a pressing