Miho, Training Center.
After Golden Masterpiece and Gold Ship had been transferred, Kenichi Ikezoe and Koichi arrived as well.
For the next stretch, the two jockeys would be handling their morning workouts.
With Koichi, it hardly mattered whether he came to lead the workouts or not, but he still had to accompany his senior out into the biting wind.
Winter mornings were quite cold.
The racehorses had grown their winter coats, while the riders could only put on down jackets.
It was already cold, and once they started running, it would get even colder.
Most of the other jockeys were in much the same situation.
The next few races were all important, so many jockeys would be training their own mounts during this period.
Snort-
Snort-
Before dawn, Koichi had already brought Gold Ship out to work.
The great clouds of white breath quickly dispersed.
A look to the left, then a look to the right.
Once Gold Ship stopped, he began surveying his surroundings.
He had come here to train plenty of times before, though he still spent more of his time at the other center.
The gates had yet to open, and many racehorses were waiting outside for the Training Center to let them in.
Other people had traffic jams; they had horse jams.
Then Koichi spotted Golden Masterpiece and Kenichi Ikezoe, who were also waiting for the gates to open.
Snort-
Golden Masterpiece slowly walked over toward Gold Ship.
He had already seen Carrot Dispenser, of course. They had met the day after he transferred stables.
Still, seeing him here made Golden Masterpiece curious enough to approach.
Kenichi Ikezoe did not do much to rein him in.
It was a good chance to greet his junior.
"Sasaki, you're here early."
"Yeah, I woke up a little early