Hanshin Racecourse.
Hanshin Racecourse was packed on Sunday. Although the weather was as hot as ever, it did nothing to dampen the spectators' enthusiasm.
Sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, handheld fans...
They had brought every kind of item they could to fend off the heat.
Of course, the spectators and horse owners in the VIP seats had it the most comfortable.
Whatever the weather, it had no effect on them, and that afternoon's Takarazuka Kinen was the most exciting showdown of the first half of the year.
The Takarazuka Kinen fell a little short of the Arima Kinen, but the country's strongest racehorses had still turned out.
Gentildonna and Gold Ship were the biggest draw of the year.
Everyone also knew that these two would surely face each other again after the Takarazuka Kinen.
They could not watch all the upcoming races in one go, but today would at least give them their fill.
As the No. 1 racehorse, Hit the Target, entered, the atmosphere at the course caught fire.
Although he was only ninth favorite, his jockey this time was Yuichi Fukunaga, which earned him plenty of cheers.
The No. 2 racehorse was Tanizumi Medal.
No. 3 was Extraordinary Steed.
As for Gold Ship and Gentildonna, they were the final two to appear this time.
They wore No. 10 and No. 11 respectively.
Once they arrived, the spectators waved the plush toys and little support banners in their hands.
Gold Ship wore his full set of equipment, just as he had in his previous race.
Although Gold Ship's condition had improved lately, Mitsumori still felt uneasy. Since he had already grown used to all that equipment, he might as well keep wearing it for this race.
Gold Ship looked to be in quite good form.
Gentildonna, on the other hand, was