After making a trip around Hokkaido, Koichi and Ayano Aoe also had a meal in Sapporo.
Ayano was naturally free to arrange her own schedule, but Koichi was not.
Two days back home was already his limit. He had to return to work on Wednesday and prepare for the upcoming races.
"Are you confident about the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen?"
The competition in this Takarazuka Kinen was strong, so winning would certainly be no easy task.
One opponent was Gentildonna, who had won the Dubai Classic, and another was Extraordinary Steed, who had beaten Gold Ship in the Spring Tenno Sho.
Sun God Steed was another contender.
"That depends on how Gold Ship performs from here."
Koichi knew what lay ahead, too.
"But judging by his performances at Hanshin Racecourse so far, there shouldn't be any major problems."
One was the Kobe Shimbun Hai when he was three, and the other was the Hanshin Daishoten early this year.
Kenichi Ikezoe had also ridden him in the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
Perhaps, for Gold Ship, coming to Hanshin Racecourse was just like coming home.
"Then you'd better give it your all. The Takarazuka Kinen is a very important race."
Ayano would naturally be there to watch, too.
Gold Ship currently had four Grade 1 wins. If he was going to reach seven, this final Grade 1 race of the first half of the year was especially important.
"The feedback I've been getting from Megumi Mitsumori has been pretty good."
Koichi spoke as he ate his dessert.
Sure enough, coming back after some pasture rest made a real difference.
When he returned to work tomorrow, he could check how Gold Ship's training had been going lately.
He had to admit that this trip home had left his schedule packed for the week.
"Then I