"Mitsumori, are you okay?"
Koichi asked once Gold Ship reached their destination.
She had been smiling before the race, but once it was over, her face had turned thunderous.
"Do you really need to ask?"
Megumi Mitsumori gave Koichi a massive eye roll.
She had nearly been scared into a heart attack. Fortunately, the opposition in this race hadn't been as strong as expected, and the distance had been long enough.
"Looking at you now, you really should bring some heart medication to the next race."
Koichi dismounted as he spoke.
"Congratulations, Sasaki. You've successfully defended your Hanshin Daishoten title today."
Ayano Aoe spoke from beside them.
It looked as though Gold Ship really had learned from Dominant Position, opening up a whole new world after the Arima Kinen.
"I think this has already left me traumatized. If I have a choice next year, we're definitely not running this race again."
Koichi collected his things, then shook his head.
Next year, he would head straight to Nakayama Racecourse instead. There were more spectators there, too.
"Go on. I still need to watch the race at Nakayama Racecourse."
Ayano Aoe said with a smile.
The graded stakes race for three-year-olds at Nakayama Racecourse was about to begin.
"All right, I'll head off first. I'll be back in a bit."
Koichi picked up the pace.
Once the post-race interview was over, he could clock out and have dinner with everyone that evening.
"Okay, go ahead."
Megumi Mitsumori walked over to Gold Ship as well.
"Ship, don't lift your legs like that again. It's really dangerous. And another thing..."
Mirai had launched into lecture mode.
Both the young master and Ship mattered a great deal to her.
Mirai went on to talk about entering the starting stall. Gold Ship must have been throwing