Kyoto Racecourse.
"Time really flies. Nine months have passed in the blink of an eye."
Koichi arrived at the training grounds wearing a heavy coat.
His first race had been here, on January 9. He still remembered it clearly.
He had been incredibly excited after winning that race.
With everyone preparing for the important races ahead, the Kyoto Training Grounds were packed with racehorses. After all, everyone wanted results in these last few months of the year.
In horse racing, getting results as early as possible was always best.
A racehorse's career was actually quite short, and every additional year of upkeep placed a tremendous burden on its owner.
Competition in the industry was growing fiercer, too.
Koichi had seen plenty of two-year-old racehorses along the way.
"Koichi, you're here."
Hitachi Yosuke approached, leading Golden Masterpiece.
The morning workout was over, and they were getting ready to head back.
"Yeah, I had nothing to do this morning, so I came to check out the grounds. Looks like I'm a little late, though."
Koichi glanced at Golden Masterpiece's exercise rider and nodded.
He had completely forgotten to ask yesterday what time Golden Masterpiece trained.
Neigh-
Golden Masterpiece turned toward Koichi and whinnied.
The Carrot Dispenser was back.
Work had been getting more and more exhausting lately, and he hadn't even had any carrots to eat. It had been miserable.
"Morning, Asho. I brought you a carrot this time."
Koichi pulled a carrot straight out of his coat pocket.
It could count as a greeting gift for yesterday, too.
Neigh-
At the sight of that familiar carrot, Golden Masterpiece whinnied excitedly.
The Carrot Dispenser really was much better than these two lackeys.
He brought something tasty every time they met.
"Eat slowly."
Crunch, crunch, crunch-
Golden Masterpiece soon finished the carrot.
That