January 9.
Megumi Mitsumori completed her application, while Koichi faced his very first race.
Since the race was in the afternoon, Koichi had plenty of time to prepare.
"There are so many people."
Hitachi Yosuke led Golden Masterpiece into the parade ring.
"Asho, good luck!"
"Asho, we'll always support you!"
Golden Masterpiece, a handsome fellow among horses, turned his head away.
He had no interest in these two-legged creatures who loved shouting.
"Asho, are you waiting for Koichi? Don't worry, he'll be here soon."
Hitachi Yosuke followed Golden Masterpiece's gaze toward the entrance.
It was already January, but the weather in Kyoto still showed no signs of warming up.
Wearing only their racing silks, the jockeys shivered whenever they stepped outside.
"Competitors in the upcoming race, please enter the preparation area."
Before long, the racecourse staff called out all the jockeys who had been sheltering indoors.
It's freezing!
Koichi was the first to run out, then greeted Hitachi Yosuke and Asho.
The temperature today was much lower than he had expected.
"Koichi, don't be nervous."
"I'm fine."
Once he was mounted, Koichi breathed out a puff of warm air.
I really hope we can finish this quickly.
Drawing gate one for his very first race gave him a pretty good starting position.
At least he wouldn't have to worry about being squeezed between two Racehorses.
"We're off! Let's go!"
The other jockeys found their partners and headed toward the Starting Stalls as well.
When Koichi reached the track, he heard the clamor coming from the Viewing Stand.
There really are so many people.
In all his life, he had never experienced anything like this.
Calling it a sea of people was no exaggeration.
Today's crowd included not only Kyoto locals, but racing fans from all over.
The attendance was on par with that of a major soccer match.
"Ah, here they come! Seventh favorite Golden Masterpiece and his new jockey, Sasaki!"
As the pair arrived, the commentators began their work.
Golden Masterpiece's position as seventh favorite owed much to the Gold Ship Family's pedigree, along with his excellent performance in the Newcomer Race.
A rookie jockey entering a Grade 3 race was still far too outrageous.
"Golden Masterpiece looks to be in great form today."
"Next up are the favorite, Danon Blue, and jockey Matsutomo."
"As a child of Deep Impact, it's only natural for Danon Blue to be the favorite. Of course, what everyone wants to know is whether she can make it three wins from three starts."
"The third Racehorse has entered the track too: Appreciating Wisdom, sired by Fuji Kiseki. Who would have thought the first three horses out would all be from Sunday Silence's line?"
As the Racehorses entered, the commentators began whipping up the crowd's excitement.
Compared with the other races today, this was the main event!
These were all Racehorses capable of challenging for Grade 1 races!
"Asho, I'm counting on you today."
Led by a staff member, Golden Masterpiece walked straight into gate one.
He entered without a hitch!
In gate two was Macherina, the Chestnut Chaser Koichi had met for the first time.
Neigh-!
When Golden Masterpiece saw someone arrive next door, he began trying to intimidate them.
Koichi could only give the neighboring jockey an apologetic smile.
Asho really did love scaring other Racehorses.
The seventh floor of the Luxury Swan Grandstand.
After seeing her Racehorses appear, Ayano Aoe lowered her binoculars.
As the most luxurious floor at Kyoto Racecourse, it naturally had dedicated screens showing the race live.
"Miss."
"Bring me Golden Masterpiece's latest figures."
Ayano Aoe waved a hand.
She was paying close attention to this race.
After all, it would determine whether Golden Masterpiece and Danon Blue could challenge for Grade 1 races.
I hope Sasaki can give me a pleasant surprise.
As the camera began zooming in on Starting Stall One, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She had already built this stage for him!
Yet trainer Kudo, seated beside Ayano Aoe, wore a dark expression.
The young lady still thinks more highly of those two!
Danon Blue is clearly the favorite, and I've even been preparing to put her through some tests lately.
Danon Blue is in excellent form right now!
Megumi Mitsumori had also appeared in the Viewing Stand as promised.
She had simply chosen a more secluded spot.
As for her plane ticket, she had bought it yesterday. Now, the only thing in Kyoto she would miss was Koichi, who was out on the track.
Good luck!
With a new year beginning, she naturally hoped her boss could start it off with a win.
Far away in Hokkaido, Miku Kuchiki and Ayumu Kusakawa also switched on the livestream right on time.
"Ship, the young master's about to race. And this time, he's racing with your big brother, too~"
Miku Kuchiki raised the little tablet in her hands with all her strength.
Young master, good luck!
To her, the young master was the greatest rider in the world.
All those people insulting him online would regret their words and actions!
Her little hands gripped the edges of the tablet tightly with nerves.
She knew Young Master Koichi was under immense pressure, but all she could do was take good care of Gold Ship.
O Racing Spirits of the ranch.
Please bless the young master with victory in this race!
Neigh-
Although Gold Ship did not understand what she meant, he obligingly whinnied.
"Boss, what are you doing here?"
A stablehand at the Aoe Ranch was genuinely startled to find someone crouching in a corner.
"Perfect timing. Get over here, kid, and cheer for Koichi with me!"
Ayumu Kusakawa, who had been secretly watching the livestream, grabbed him and pulled him over.
At 170 centimeters tall, Koichi stood head and shoulders above the other jockeys.
Not to mention that he was wearing the racing silks Ayumu had given him!
You'd better bring Koichi good luck!
As Racehorse number sixteen entered the gate, Ayumu Kusakawa's heart began beating faster.
"Number one is Sasaki, right?"
The somewhat bewildered stablehand asked.
"Yeah. He was pretty lucky to draw gate one."
Ayumu Kusakawa lit himself a cigarette.
In truth, he did not have particularly high hopes for this race, but deep down, he still believed in Koichi.
If even his uncle did not believe in him, then no one in the world would support him.
"All sixteen Racehorses are in the Starting Stalls. I now declare this year's Nikkan Sports Shinzan Kinen underway!"
With the commentator's announcement, the time-honored fanfare rang out across the racecourse.
Toot, toot, toot-
The red light flashed.
The staff hurried out of the Starting Stalls.
Under their jockeys' cues, the Racehorses inside the Starting Stalls grew alert and ready.
The moment the Starting Stalls opened, they would burst out at full speed!
Running was in their nature.
(End of chapter)
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