46th Nikkan Shinsan Memorial Turf, right-handed outer course, 1,600 m Weather: Cloudy Turf: Firm Post time: 15:45
"All fifteen racehorses have entered the gates smoothly, and final preparations are underway for the long-awaited Shinsan Memorial."
"And the gates open!"
Clack-
As the Starting Stall snapped open, Gentildonna burst straight out.
There was certainly nothing wrong with Gentildonna's start.
Her light weight burden also gave her a quick start, but the other jockeys accelerated their mounts faster.
Especially number twelve in an outside gate.
"A beautiful start! Number twelve, Cherry, breaks into the lead, closely followed by number fourteen, Leon Bisty."
It looked as though the horses drawn outside all intended to lead or race close to the pace this time.
"The second favorite, Gentildonna, is positioned in the middle of the Pack."
Koichi did not keep urging Gentildonna forward.
Numbers six and eleven had completely blocked the way ahead.
Mares fighting colts for position was not a wise choice.
All he needed to do now was hold this position and avoid getting completely boxed in by the Pack.
Number fourteen, ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga, came alongside him. It seemed his rival did not want to expend too much energy up front.
On his inside was Microcrystal, ridden by Yasuo Iwata.
Koichi had already seen Iwata's mounts draw the inside Starting Stall several times.
Huh?
Just as Koichi noticed, number eleven ahead of him slowed down.
What was going on with Tokyo Halo?
That was the favorite for this race, but he did not dwell on it.
He had intended to race off the pace, yet now he found himself in a forward position.
Number twelve had already broken away up front, but Koichi had to admit that he had landed a very good position without even wasting much