Koichi had barely stepped out of the preparation room when he spotted the film crew.
For this Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a dedicated crew had been filming everything from the preparations to their participation in the race.
He nodded to the crew over there.
They had been working hard, too.
After the brief entrance ceremony, he saw Golden Masterpiece waiting there.
The horse owner and horse trainer were naturally beside Golden Masterpiece as well.
"Sasaki."
"Young Lady."
The two exchanged a simple greeting.
Once this race was over, they would be saying goodbye to France as well.
"Just follow the tactics we discussed for the upcoming race. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. We've failed plenty of times before this."
Ayano Aoe offered him those words anyway.
Failure ran through most people's lives. Perhaps this attempt of theirs would ultimately end in failure, too.
"I'll give it my best. Golden Masterpiece has been in really good form lately."
Koichi glanced at Golden Masterpiece beside him.
He hoped veering sideways and hitting the rail last time had not left any negative effects.
Racehorses really did have their own impressions of each racecourse. If something went wrong at a track, they could develop an aversion to it when they returned.
"As long as you're confident! Good luck!"
"Sasaki, we'll be cheering for you. A lot of people have come to the course today to support you both, too."
Keigo Kudo spoke up.
For all of them, this was their best opportunity.
The camera swung toward them as well, sending a thrill through the viewers watching back home.
Whether Golden Masterpiece and Koichi Sasaki could prove themselves abroad now depended on them.
"Right."
With that, Koichi mounted.
Golden Masterpiece, who had been looking this way and that, brought his attention back.