Tokyo Racecourse, Parade Ring.
"Just run today's race the way we rehearsed on Thursday. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Before Koichi mounted, Tadashi Ishisaka offered one last reminder.
No matter how he looked at it, Gentildonna was in better form now than she had been at the Takarazuka Kinen, but not so much better that victory was assured.
"I'll keep an eye on Yutaka Take and Tokyo Halo."
Koichi nodded.
That was also the assignment the Sunday Club and her horse trainer had given him. His main task in this race was to keep the second favorite, Tokyo Halo, in check.
Whatever the outcome, he still had to do what needed doing, and Tokyo Halo was indeed their strongest opponent on paper.
But...
The real final boss in this race was One-Way Passage.
When there was such a huge gap in the horses' form, a jockey could not make up for it alone. Their tactics this time were not suited to targeting One-Way Passage either, as that horse would most likely run as a closer.
One-Way Passage's performance over 1,800 meters in the Mainichi Okan had given that camp plenty of confidence.
"Off you go."
Tadashi Ishisaka patted Gentildonna's neck.
These days, Gentildonna always wore a hood when she raced.
Being a mare did not necessarily mean she had a good temper.
Meanwhile, Yutaka Take and Yuichi Fukunaga also had brief discussions with their respective teams.
The race was about to begin, and they had finished their preparations. They were mainly discussing minor details now.
Kenichi Ikezoe, meanwhile, was aboard Toward Glory.
Unfortunately, that horse had not been in particularly good form these past few years and was only the ninth favorite.
Neigh-
One-Way Passage happened to spot Koichi when turning around and let out a neigh.
Yuichi