"One thousand meters in one minute, three point seven seconds."
The commentator glanced at the figures.
That was a fairly normal time. The fifty-six seconds in the Autumn Tenno Sho had clearly been very fast.
A slow leader setting the pace was certainly comfortable for the horses at the very back.
But Golden Masterpiece faced strong opponents this time.
Every horse in this race had an exceptionally powerful final kick.
"The favorite, Golden Masterpiece, has yet to make a move, remaining among the last four."
"Rose Kingdom is bringing up the rear."
"Heart's Sincere is still leading this year's Arima Kinen."
"Japan Jordan and Lovely Scenery are still running third in the pack."
Time to adjust their position.
Although there was little to do at the back, Koichi Sasaki was still adjusting Golden Masterpiece's position. They had to prepare for the final straight.
Rose Kingdom had dropped back through an inability to keep up.
That gave them a very good opening, allowing them to move straight from the inside rail to a slightly wider position.
Huff-
Huff-
Golden Masterpiece was still keeping that speed in check.
For now, simply following the horse ahead would do.
Once the final command to accelerate came, Golden Masterpiece would surely leave that opponent behind.
Koichi continued watching the changes up ahead.
The slow front-running pace was not particularly quick, which was good news for him.
Only seven or eight lengths separated him from the leader now.
With Golden Masterpiece's final kick, making up that distance would not be difficult.
Unlike the relaxed Koichi, Yasuo Iwata up ahead was getting anxious.
Come on, come on, come on!
He knew this scenario all too well. That fellow Christophe Lemaire had cut him off before they even entered the first turn, and Japan Jordan had moved straight