Hanshin Racecourse.
The latest race had just ended, and the other jockeys were naturally getting ready for the next one in the jockeys' room.
"You did well in that last race. You even managed second on a long shot."
Since he wasn't riding in the Oka Sho, Ryuji Wada had some time to spare.
The race they had just ridden in was called the Osaka Hamburger Cup.
The name was a little odd, but first prize still paid over twenty million yen, and the horses in this Four-Year-Old Open Class race were all quite capable.
"It was mostly because the other senior jockeys were focused on the riders aboard the favorites. That gave me my chance."
Koichi smiled as he changed into the Sunday Club's racing silks.
Finding an opening like that and taking second was certainly a win for them. It was a good result to deliver to the trainer and Horse Owner, too.
He trusted that they would come to him again when they had work available.
"By the way, I heard you're going freelance soon. How's that coming along?"
Ryuji Wada continued.
He had made the switch too late himself and missed out on plenty of opportunities as a result, with trainers and Horse Owners choosing other jockeys instead.
"It's going pretty smoothly so far. I think I can finish the paperwork before summer."
Koichi replied.
It was a necessary step for jockeys, of course. Only after going freelance could they gain access to more opportunities.
He was simply moving faster than his seniors had.
"Then you'd better put in a good performance in this next race. The Sunday Club has high hopes for you."
Ryuji Wada patted him on the shoulder.
Everyone could see that the Sunday Club's resources were getting better and better.
Of course,