As the interview was about to begin, Koichi stretched, then sat up straight.
"Jockey Sasaki, we're ready on our end."
"All right."
Koichi adjusted his cap as well.
Naturally, he wanted to finish the interview early and head back for a little more rest. Everyone would have dinner together that evening, then discuss their tactics for the upcoming race.
"Jockey Sasaki, it's been a while."
"Yes. Hello, everyone. I'm Koichi Sasaki."
Koichi slipped into the proper mindset.
Work mode.
"Jockey Sasaki, what everyone wants to know most right now is how Gold Ship is doing."
"In terms of condition, I'd say Gold Ship is doing much better than at any earlier point this year. Physically, there's been more improvement over this stretch, so Gold Ship should definitely be able to perform at full strength in this race."
Koichi thought for a moment before answering.
He had only just finished the workout gallop, and Gold Ship had already been led back for a bath and some rest.
"You're sounding very confident today, Jockey Sasaki."
"Reasonably so. But we'll definitely be facing our strongest opposition yet. After all, this is our first time moving beyond the classics to enter an open-age race."
Koichi still had confidence in himself.
The advantage of entering an open-age race was the weight allowance, and Gold Ship would be going into the Arima Kinen as the strongest representative of the three-year-olds.
"Who do you think is the opponent you need to watch out for most in the Arima Kinen, Jockey Sasaki?"
"That would definitely be Golden Masterpiece. Beating Golden Masterpiece will be very difficult, but it's not impossible."
Koichi answered without any real hesitation.
Golden Masterpiece now stood before him like a towering mountain, and that feeling carried considerable pressure.
"As Golden Masterpiece's former regular jockey, how