Training Center.
A tilt of the head.
?
Gold Ship looked at Koichi on his good friend's back.
Why had the Carrot Dispenser switched horses this time?
But he did not give it much thought. This was just another routine training session.
"Ready?"
"Ready, Jockey Sasaki."
Yamana Takuto nodded.
This was his first time riding Gold Ship in a training session alongside his idol.
He had to admit he was still a little excited. But after the excitement came pressure. After all, Gold Ship usually outperformed One-Way Passage.
"Sorry for the trouble this time, Sasaki. I know I've suddenly asked you to ride One-Way Passage."
Tetsuya Futawatari spoke.
He had already cleared it with the horse owner.
Koichi Sasaki would ride in the upcoming Mainichi Okan.
"No problem. This will be my first Mainichi Okan too, and the competition looks pretty strong."
Koichi merely gave a faint smile.
Quite a few of the horses in the field were familiar to him.
"I have faith in you. Without you, Japan Jordan wouldn't have won those two Grade 1 races."
Tetsuya Futawatari did not say much more.
Securing Koichi Sasaki for this race really was the best choice.
"Let's go, Ship."
Koichi turned his head as he spoke.
There would be one more workout gallop after this one. As far as he was concerned, those two sessions should be enough.
Both sessions would follow this same arrangement.
Gold Ship glanced at Koichi again, then headed toward the training track.
Although he had returned very early this time, he had not entered any races.
There was still a long way to go before the Japan Cup.
This was also the conclusion Koichi and Megumi Mitsumori had reached after their discussion. In their view, a warm-up race would do nothing for Gold Ship. They