A workout gallop, then a pre-race interview.
"Epiphaneia has been training quite well since returning, and the fatigue from the first half of the year has visibly faded. There's even been a noticeable increase in muscle mass."
"Are you confident about this race, Jockey Sasaki?"
"I suppose so. After all, most of our opponents from the first half of the year have chosen other races. I'd also like to send my best wishes to Jockey Yutaka Take and Deep Bond. I hope they get a good result in France."
Seated in the interview chair, Koichi nodded.
Most of the favorites in this Kobe Shimbun Hai were racehorses who had made their mark after the Derby. The horses from the Derby had naturally chosen other paths, while they were making a bid for the Triple Crown.
The hardest part, the first half of the year, was already behind them. There should be no major problems ahead.
And Epiphaneia had the ability to handle the three-thousand-meter distance.
"I hope Jockey Yutaka Take receives your good wishes over in France."
The interviewer smiled.
As someone who had won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Golden Masterpiece, his words carried considerable weight.
Winning the earlier Graded Stakes prep race in France had certainly come as a surprise to them.
"Next, could you share your thoughts on this Kobe Shimbun Hai?"
"I don't really have any particular thoughts. Hanshin Racecourse has reopened, and I'm fairly familiar with it. I also have my previous experience in the Guardian Memorial."
Koichi's answer was quite matter-of-fact.
Although he had not entered this race with Gold Ship, he had experienced it firsthand with Golden Masterpiece.
This race would be much easier than it had been for Masterpiece back then. After all, Triumph Ballet had been chasing hard from