Tokyo Racecourse
The weekend crowds at Tokyo Racecourse had reached their peak.
Although Golden Masterpiece was not competing, there was still plenty to watch in this race.
The field included many strong horses, and plenty of top foreign jockeys had come as well.
Mirco Demuro, Ryan Moore, and Li Muhua were all taking part in this Japan Cup.
Before the Japan Cup began, the jockeys naturally chatted in the waiting room.
Koichi listened to the veterans talking.
He had not been in the industry long. Although he already knew most of them, he was not particularly close to them yet.
Still, saying hello was certainly no problem.
Everyone was fairly familiar with Tokyo's 2,400-meter course by now.
Wearing the Sunday Racing Silks, Koichi sat watching the horses in the Parade Ring.
After a while, Kenichi Ikezoe came over and sat beside him.
They exchanged greetings. Ikezoe happened to be sitting this race out.
He had fallen just short in the previous race, and today's Japan Cup was the final race on the card.
Once the Japan Cup was over, they could rest.
"Looks like you've got a great chance of defending your title today."
Kenichi Ikezoe spoke.
There was Koichi's ability to consider, as well as his mount. Koichi Sasaki had scored an upset last year, but this year he was riding the reigning Filly Triple Crown winner.
His chances were very good.
"The race hasn't even started, and you're already jinxing me. Why don't you go tell someone else they're going to win?"
Koichi turned and rolled his eyes at him.
Starting Stall fifteen really was not a good draw for them.
"I'm not jinxing you. I've analyzed it. Don't tell me your team hasn't come up with a specific plan."
Kenichi Ikezoe shook his head.
In any case,