Tokyo Racecourse, VIP lounge.
"Miss Aoe."
"Mr. Shimakawa."
Ayano Aoe had just arrived at the VIP lounge when she ran into Japan Jordan's Horse Owner.
What a coincidence.
"I didn't expect you to arrive so early, Mr. Shimakawa. Your horse won't be racing until this afternoon."
Ayano Aoe knew him, of course.
Though they had little contact, they were at least on speaking terms.
"I had nothing else to do today, so I thought I'd watch the earlier races. The horses and jockeys today are all of a very high standard."
The owner, Shimakawa, smiled.
He had to admit that the jockey Ayano Aoe had promoted was truly reliable.
After all these years without a single Grade 1 victory, that young man had fulfilled his wish outright.
"What about you, Miss Aoe?"
"My flight happened to arrive around this time, so I came straight to the racecourse."
Ayano Aoe gave a faint smile.
Their ranch only had runners in a few of the earlier races at Tokyo that day. As for the main event, the Japan Cup, none of their horses had made the field.
Golden Masterpiece could have entered, of course, but they preferred to target the Arima Kinen.
It would be bad to suffer a setback in the Japan Cup.
Triumph Ballet's Horse Owner clearly thought differently and had entered his horse this time.
"Young Lady, Jockey Sasaki will be here shortly."
Fujitani Kotomi spoke quietly.
The Young Lady had invited Sasaki over today to watch the races with her, of course. There would be plenty of time that afternoon to prepare for his race.
"All right. Wait for him over there."
"After you."
Shimakawa stepped aside of his own accord.
Unfortunately, the seat he had chosen this time was elsewhere. Otherwise, he could have had a proper