"Asho, you can't be so cold. It's only been two months since we last saw each other."
After greeting Yosuke, Koichi naturally made his way over to Golden Masterpiece.
There really hadn't been much change since age three. Golden Masterpiece was as handsome as ever, with a chestnut coat that gleamed in the sunlight.
Hmph-
Golden Masterpiece snorted, then flicked those ears.
It had been ages since Golden Masterpiece had eaten any of those favorite carrots.
"We'll have carrots once training is over."
Koichi seemed to suddenly remember something.
The carrots he had left for Golden Masterpiece must have all been eaten. He had been so busy lately that he had forgotten to keep supplying them.
So this was partly his fault?
He had mailed more to Gold Ship and Epiphaneia after returning to Kyoto.
He had forgotten Golden Masterpiece.
Hm?
At the mention of carrots, Golden Masterpiece's ears immediately pricked forward.
If you've got carrots, we're still best buddies.
Neigh-
When Golden Masterpiece whinnied, Koichi took the reins.
He already had his protective gear on beneath his clothes.
"Sasaki, be careful."
Saki Ikegami felt it was better to be cautious.
After all, Golden Masterpiece wasn't a particularly good-tempered racehorse to begin with, and something was clearly off right now.
"Don't worry. We're old partners."
Koichi spoke as he swung straight up into the saddle.
If defeat in the Spring Tenno Sho was inevitable, he would still do everything he could to help Golden Masterpiece finish near the front-at least in the top five.
Even Deep Impact, an undefeated Triple Crown winner, had suffered a shocking upset. One loss for Golden Masterpiece was no big deal.
Of course, he knew Golden Masterpiece's main goal this year was the trip to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After what had been