A few days later, at Hokkai Ranch.
"How's that thing I asked you to prepare coming along?"
Ayano Aoe asked as she watched Gold Ship rolling around on the ground.
"It's all ready. We can pick it up after the Kikuka Sho."
Fujitani Kotomi replied.
Naturally, she had taken care of the young lady's request at the first opportunity.
Their main reason for coming to Hokkai Ranch today was that the young lady wanted to see Gold Ship during his break.
The other reason was that the three of them had booked the same flight to Kyoto.
"Good. This should make a nice surprise."
Ayano Aoe nodded in satisfaction.
The moment she saw Gold Ship, she felt all her troubles melt away, and his performances had certainly lived up to her expectations.
Three starts, three wins, and he had successfully claimed his first graded stakes victory.
Neigh-?
After rolling around for a while, Gold Ship noticed Ayano Aoe standing beside the fence.
This person's here again.
He decided to put on a little show for her.
Then he turned in a circle on the spot before breaking into a trot.
"Good morning, Ship."
Ayano Aoe smiled and waved.
Gold Ship was positively brimming with energy. He had probably been eating well lately and had almost fully recovered from the exertion of racing.
"Young lady. Assistant."
Dressed in autumn clothes, Koichi greeted the two women.
The weather had grown colder and colder since October began.
"Yes, Jockey Sasaki, I've received the money you transferred. That means your latest loan is now paid off."
Fujitani Kotomi nodded as she spoke.
She had to admit that Koichi was paying back his debts remarkably quickly.
And judging by Gold Ship's performances this year, winning a Grade 2 race after March next year certainly wouldn't