57th Arima Kinen Turf, right-handed, 2,500 m Weather: sunny Turf condition: good Post time: 15:25
"The 57th Arima Kinen is about to begin. Watch the starting line."
"The gates are open!"
"Ah-Dominant Position was slow out of the gate!"
The commentators seemed to have expected it.
Dominant Position certainly hadn't let anyone down when it came to starting late, even in a race this important.
In an instant, the horses ahead had pulled several lengths clear of Dominant Position.
Dominant Position had also treated everyone to a high-knee step as the starting stalls opened.
The good news was that Dominant Position was a closer anyway. The bad news was that the opposition was formidable.
Dominant Position's trainer, the Sunday Club representative, and the staff involved could only groan in dismay.
First place was already out of reach.
"Gold Ship's acceleration is quite good. Gold Ship has moved straight up alongside Golden Masterpiece."
Gold Ship used snuggle on Golden Masterpiece.
It was super effective.
Just as everyone had predicted, Golden Masterpiece still hadn't managed to secure a pressing position and had been squeezed toward the rear.
And with that move alongside, Gold Ship had pinned Golden Masterpiece firmly in place.
Kenichi Ikezoe glanced to his side.
The way ahead was completely blocked, and Gold Ship was applying pressure from beside him.
Breaking out was no longer possible.
Koichi also glanced to his right.
He had judged his speed perfectly.
Of course, Gold Ship's cooperation had played a part. After all, Gold Ship had never particularly liked accelerating out of the gate and had often settled at the back of the pack.
It was a good position, and it let him contain Golden Masterpiece.
For him, this was a very good start indeed.
Hrrmph-
Hrrmph-
Pinned on the inside, Golden