Over the next stretch of time, Koichi continued to follow his previously arranged schedule.
Gentildonna's gate draw, interviews, and condition tuning.
The question he was asked most often was still whether Gentildonna could handle 2,400 meters.
Koichi naturally stuck to the lines his agent had given him. If anything went wrong in an interview, he would certainly be the one coming under fire in the end.
After all, he knew people would only believe their own opinions were right, and would not readily take his word for it.
Things like this were ultimately just a formality, and he had long since grown used to them.
"Is that your own opinion, or...?"
"Of course, that was a team decision. In terms of time spent with her, I certainly don't know Gentildonna better than the team does. As the Oka Sho champion, I believe she won't disappoint everyone in the Oaks either."
Koichi replied.
For a mare, being able to run around 2,400 meters meant she had a very useful distance range.
There were plenty of Grade 1 races around that distance.
"Then, jockey Sasaki, have you made any preparations for the upcoming race?"
"I've made quite a few preparations. After all, I've spent this whole time getting more familiar with Tokyo Racecourse and trying to recapture the feeling I had last year."
Koichi thought for a moment, then continued.
The first half of a horse's three-year-old season certainly could not be called the peak of its abilities.
"Yes, I also spent plenty of time getting to know Gentildonna beforehand. Compared with her last race, she's still improving."
But racehorses were inherently unpredictable, like the two-year-old champion he had ridden in the HNK.
The distance had not increased, yet the horse's ability had declined badly.
"It sounds like Gentildonna is in very