After the evening celebration ended, Koichi headed to the Training Center early the next morning.
His work with Epiphaneia was over, but he still had another important racehorse to ride: Gentildonna.
Although she had finished third in the Takarazuka Kinen, the Sunday Club certainly could not have been particularly satisfied.
After all, she had put together a winning streak at three and started her four-year-old season by winning the Dubai Sheema Classic.
They would definitely want some results in the second half of the year.
"Our opponents are pretty strong this time."
Tadashi Ishisaka looked at Gentildonna as he spoke.
He was not especially satisfied with her recent form, either. She seemed considerably worse than she had been last year.
But there was nothing they could do about that. The race was coming up this week.
"We can still look at her condition and numbers during the workout gallop. Tokyo Racecourse is familiar territory, after all."
"Gentildonna really does need a warm-up race to get her into form."
Tadashi Ishisaka now felt that Koichi Sasaki had been right.
After all, he was the jockey who had helped Gentildonna make a name for herself.
"I think we could find a domestic race for her before she goes to Dubai next year."
Koichi offered another suggestion.
Given Gentildonna's situation, she would most likely keep racing until she was five.
After all, if she could collect seven Grade 1 wins, they ought to aim for that.
Judging by her current performances, Gentildonna was still some way from the Hall of Fame.
Still, she had the advantage of having Deep Impact as her sire.
"It's a shame you'll be riding Gold Ship in the Japan Cup. Another consecutive Japan Cup title would have been a good option, too."
Tadashi Ishisaka sighed.
Gentildonna was currently