Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

He took a step forward with anticipation.

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"【Pay attention to horse movements】

Kentucky Derby winner Mejiro Sakuya (3-year-old female, Oi-Arayama Katsutoku stable, sire 4WD) has recovered from right hind leg surgery and plans to return to Mejiro Ranch for grazing and recuperation.

——《n○tkeiba》

"[Summer Championship]

Kobayashi Taniguan (Miura·Uehara Stable House) entered the line first, and Anshang Wada Ryuji was on the line. "

——Victorious Horse

"[@Hinoyuki:

When I was traveling in Hidaka, my friend took me to a ranch, but it turned out to be a wasted trip because of the renovation.

But the ranch staff is super gentle (laughs)]

——General tourists

Chapter 153 The Returning Visitor

A horse-drawn carriage marked with the "Flyt Express" logo slowly stopped in front of the ranch entrance.

After a while, the automatic sensor iron door slowly opened.

"Don't worry, she's in very good condition."

The flight attendant sitting in the passenger seat said with a smile after getting off the bus.

"Really."

Kitano nodded absentmindedly in agreement, his gaze directed towards the back of the carriage.

"Oh! Is Sakuya here—"

Rachel Ho's voice jumped and she seemed to be jumping over.

Even Zep and Lavid's pace seemed to become a little hurried.

The moment the tailgate opened, my heart beat faster unconsciously.

The LED lights slowly dimmed, and natural light replaced the blue light that had previously lingered in the car.

The familiar deer-haired figure slowly stepped out from the shadows.

It is a very healthy gait.

However, the horse's body seems to have become rounder.

After stepping on the pedal, Mejiro Sakuya looked up curiously.

"From now on, this will be our new home."

Taking the leash from the flight attendant, Kitano rubbed the deer-haired horse's head.

The furry ears slowly spread to the sides, but stood up again the next moment as if they had discovered something.

Then, she kept moving her lips towards Kitano's pocket.

"It's still the same as before."

As he said this, he took out a half-opened bag of mints from his pocket.

While performing ultrasound treatment, I tried to distract Mudai Hakuma in this way.

However, it didn't work at all.

I didn't expect it would come in handy in another place.

Although horses have a very developed sense of smell, there are actually subtle differences between different individuals.

As for Mejiro Sakuya, she is probably the type who is fully strengthened in the direction of food exploration.

The saying "fish have heart, water has heart" is probably about this kind of scene.

After feeding a mint candy, Kitano handed the leash to Lavid.

As for himself, he followed behind Mejiro Sakuya and observed her gait.

Lumaoma turned his head reluctantly, and stared at Kitano's pocket with his three white eyes as if obsessed.

However, he still took a step as the leash moved.

It seemed that he was not used to the resin gravel road under his feet, and he felt a little cramped during the first few steps.

Coupled with the drowsy look in his eyes, as if he hasn't woken up yet, just looking at this scene, one might mistakenly think that he was an example of someone accidentally falling asleep while walking.

"It's just as the rumors say—"

While recording a vlog with her mobile phone, Rachel Ho couldn't help but sigh.

As we walked through the grazing grounds, the black deer-haired horses of the Retirement School cast curious glances over the fences.

"We have a new partner, Jinghui!"

Jinghui, who was selecting a mare for Urawa C3, blinked and then focused on the grass under his feet.

At the end of the road, a building even more luxurious than the single-family house where Kitano lived blocked the way.

Before entering the stable, the cold air from the central air-conditioning had already spread to my face.

A gray head with grass debris on its lips popped out from in front of the movable fence, but soon shrank back with a grunt.

As her hooves stepped onto the non-slip rubber floor, Mejiro Sakuya once again displayed the same funny steps she had shown not long ago.

"Don't fall down, please."

Having said this, Kitano walked around to the other side of the leash and patted the deer-haired horse on the head.

Mejiro Sakuya stuck out her tongue and rubbed his palm.

Coming to the empty stable with the nameplate of Mejiro Sakuya, Rachel Ho opened the horizontal sliding door.

Although the sliding door design was considered at the beginning, in order to make the best use of the upper space, a whole horizontal movable door was used.

The downside is that it takes more effort to open and close than a normal sliding door.

"Please come in——"

After easily opening the trap door, the girl made a "please" gesture.

Through independent air outlets, the cool air is evenly distributed to every corner of the stable.

"There's no need to turn on the fan."

Kitano waved his hand to stop Zep who was about to turn on the fan.

The combination of central air conditioning and an air purification system is sufficient to handle most situations, and fans in the stable are usually only a backup option in emergencies.

After untying the leash, Mejiro Sakuya walked towards the food bowl quite familiarly.

Of course, feed, clean water, etc. were also prepared in advance according to the doctor's instructions.

As long as there is a bite to eat, there is no problem of adaptability——

This is the evaluation of Mejiro Sakuya by a certain horse racing critic from the Eastern Sports University.

Although it sounds a bit exaggerated, it is actually the same thing.

While Mejiro Sakuya was concentrating on the feed, Kitano took out the various tools needed for inspection from the built-in cabinet on the wall opposite the stable.

Then he turned and went into the stable.

Squatting beside the deer-haired horse, I could feel the roundness of its belly more intuitively.

"Take her to get weighed later."

After saying this to Lavid, he couldn't help but reach out and touch Mejiro Sakuya's abdomen.

I've gained weight indeed——

I started the inspection with a subtle sense of inexplicable loss.

Body and hoof temperatures were within normal ranges, as were pulse and respiratory rates.

The incision during the operation is so small that it is said to be almost invisible to the naked eye.

I turned on the flashlight and shone it towards the wound, and indeed only a very hidden mark was left.

It would be considered an accidental scrape while grazing.

He moved closer to examine it carefully for a while, but there was no sign of abnormal swelling or wound cracking.

"Very healthy."

After putting away the flashlight and standing up, Kitano's tone unconsciously showed a hint of excitement.

Of course, the expectations about the schedule will not change because of this.

After closing the trap door, he thrust out his fist.

"Let's go eat!"

As for the location, it’s naturally “Bear’s Frying Pan”.

Because they had been busy all morning, several people were hungry.

He ate until his stomach was full, then he leisurely moved out of the restaurant.

"Thank you for the hospitality!"

He bent down with some difficulty and bowed to Grandma Meiko.

"Nothing, please come back next time."

Grandma Miwako put down the rag in her hand and looked over with a smile.

I had just taken a few steps outside when I heard the sound of a bus entering the station.

“Someone actually comes at this time—”

Zep turned his head slightly and gave him a curious look.

Because reservations are required in advance, Donan Bus drivers know in advance how many people will get off at each stop.

Generally speaking, they basically do not stop at the entrance of Bentong.

Besides, the weather is still very hot now, and you will soon become sweaty just by walking on the road.

Tourists who come to Hidakamigaku for sightseeing at this time are probably people with the same perseverance as those of enlightened ones.

A burly figure with a mountaineering backpack on his back and back got off the bus.

Even for tourists, it seems to be an unavoidable burden.

Even Rachel Ho couldn't help but look at him with awe.

"Ah, you're President Kitano!"

Under the pressure of the heavy backpack that was as thick as armor, the man shouted excitedly.

Under the dazzling sunlight, the Daonan bus drove away.

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“Although the results may not all be positive, I still hope to have more different attempts.”

——Interview with rider Taketoshi Taketoshi from Weekly Gallop

"British rider Maggie Kim is looking forward to the next summer season in Japan."

——《n○tkeiba》

Chapter 154 Daily Life at Shin-Mejiro Ranch

Morning, 10 a.m.

The sunlight was so dazzling that it seemed to be pouring out the last remaining power of summer.

Passing through the glittering golden corridor, Asayama led the deer-hair pony to the weighing area and stopped.