The Training Center.
Koichi arrived as promised to put Gold Ship through his final tune-up.
He also saw quite a few familiar faces there.
There were jockeys and trainers alike.
And, of course, familiar racehorses.
One-Way Passage would be training with Gold Ship today as well.
Although they had chosen different races, they would eventually meet again in the races to come.
One-Way Passage also wanted to see the gap between himself and Gold Ship.
"Trainer Futawatari, long time no see."
Koichi took the initiative to greet him.
There was still some time before the HNK Cup began.
"I haven't congratulated you on your first Grade 1 win of the year yet."
Tetsuya Futawatari walked over as he spoke.
A Grade 1 victory was not something anyone could claim just because they wanted it. He had watched Koichi rise through the ranks.
His skills really were improving all the time.
Koichi was still a jockey under his supervision, although he was already preparing the paperwork to go freelance.
If possible, he naturally hoped Koichi would ride Japan Jordan a few more times.
"It went well. Now I'm working toward my next goal."
Koichi glanced over at One-Way Passage and Gold Ship.
After the Oka Sho came the Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Colts' Triple Crown. He would most likely get to ride in all six of those races this year.
"Then keep giving it your all. Gold Ship really has been in excellent form lately."
Tetsuya Futawatari naturally knew that Gold Ship was in fine form.
After all, One-Way Passage had been training with Gold Ship all along.
As horses of the same age, the two were good friends, but they were also rivals on the track.
"In the end, it still comes down to how Gold Ship