Kyoto Racecourse.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, rookie."
"Haha, have you put on weight lately? Your face looks a little rounder."
"I just weighed myself, you know. Watch it, or I'll sue you for slander."
After the brief New Year holiday, the jockeys had gathered here once again.
The biggest attraction this week was naturally the Shinsan Memorial, which Koichi Sasaki and Gentildonna had won last year.
Pat, pat-
Koichi also exchanged quick hugs with a few of his seniors.
His agent had given him strict orders: he had to perform well in this first week of racing. Even if he couldn't win, he had to fight for a respectable placing.
"Sasaki, we won't be going easy on you this year."
Kenichi Ikezoe said it with a smile.
He was quite confident in his current form.
"Do I only lose half if I surrender?"
Koichi replied with a grin.
"No chance. What's the fun if you surrender? I've got plenty of experience on dirt."
Kenichi Ikezoe joked.
"Teach him a good lesson when the race starts!"
Yuichi Fukunaga chimed in from his chair.
"Sounds good to me. Box him in right from the start."
Ryuji Wada nodded with a smile too.
They hadn't seen one another in a while, so a little ribbing was harmless.
"No bringing personal grudges onto the track. Stick to the tactics your trainers gave you."
Kenichi Ikezoe glanced at the men egging them on.
If they singled him out in every race today, he would certainly have a rough time.
"And how do you know Sasaki's riding tactics aren't aimed at you?"
Yutaka Take walked over with his younger brother.
Koshiro Take greeted the others as well.
They were all top-tier jockeys in Japan now-a gathering of heavyweights.
"Keep chatting, everyone. I'm going to