Kyoto.
A flight, then a ride on the Shinkansen.
By the time he arrived, it was already evening.
Koichi went to check on Golden Masterpiece in the stable, then headed off to rest.
Starting early the next morning, he would return to his usual training routine. This time, though, he would only take the horse for a brief test ride. The actual training would naturally be handled by the exercise rider.
He couldn't take someone else's job, after all.
Besides, he and Golden Masterpiece had been working together for over half a year, so he knew the horse's habits and physical abilities quite well.
He had only come this time to get a feel for the current conditions at Kyoto Racecourse.
Compared with his previous visits, he would have considerably more free time.
"Koichi, over here."
Ayano Aoe still had other things to take care of that day, so he was having dinner with Hitachi Yosuke again.
"Coming."
Koichi took off his jacket and sat down across from Hitachi Yosuke.
"Did you go check on Asho?"
"The timing worked out perfectly, so I stopped by. The training really has paid off. I could clearly tell that the muscles in his hind legs were stronger."
Koichi nodded.
They were having pork cutlets that day. Apparently, this place served some very good ones.
His good friend was treating him anyway, so there was no reason to turn down a free meal.
Food this high in calories was a serious problem for other jockeys, but it made no difference to him.
Hitachi Yosuke could be said to have earned the most of all the stablehands at Aoe Ranch that year.
"Of course. Just look at who's taking care of Asho. We've really put a lot of effort into that aspect of his training