Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Some trainers are accustomed to grasping the horse's body condition through personal experience.

As a non-rider, Tanaka prefers to rely on his own observations.

The two trainers were busy with their respective duties.

"The foot looks a little tired. Maybe it will be better if I rest for a while."

Tanaka recorded his evaluation of the horse's body truthfully.

After this, the review is passed on to the owner along with recommendations for the race.

As for the decision of the horse owner himself.

That is not something he can control.

After the training, Ochiai led the horse to the edge of the stands.

“It’s not in a very good condition.”

He expressed his views concisely.

"There is nothing we can do about it."

Closing the notebook in his hand, Tanaka looked at the chestnut-haired horse in front of him and spoke slowly.

Although it had a period of good performance when it first debuted, after it turned three years old, its physical growth began to lag behind.

After nearly nine months of recuperation, he finally struggled in the first game after returning.

The horse owner's already exhausted patience completely disappeared.

Even without asking, Tanaka knew where such a horse was most likely to end up.

For them, the only thing left is to keep running.

Ochiai's grip on the reins tightened slightly, but he quickly loosened it again.

He patted the head of his companion beside him.

Since I was very young, I have fallen in love with horses, such a beautiful and fairy-like creature.

That's why I hate horse racing.

I also hate myself as a rider.

This was the first time that horse owners, trainers, riders, and ranch representatives had gathered together to discuss horse racing since Baima's debut.

The location is an izakaya called "Hidaka" in the town.

The content of the discussion was about Baima's next trip.

Before starting, Kitano ordered a Genghis Khan barbecue set meal for four people.

The way they sat was somewhat casual, as if they were about to discuss a light topic like the weather or baseball.

The sea urchin served as a side dish was finished in no time.

At the beginning of the discussion, Master Tanaka first explained his intended purpose of escape.

The seventh two-year-old horse limited race, called "Makayama Special", was held at Monbetsu Racecourse on July 16.

The race route is 1,200 meters outside the Monbetsu Racecourse, and the prize money for each move is a fixed 500,000 yen.

Kitano expressed his concerns about the distance being 200 meters longer than in his debut match.

"One thousand two hundred meters. Isn't that a bit long?"

Putting down the event schedule, Kitano asked uncertainly.

"It's okay. Even if it's extended by two hundred meters, it won't be a problem for Pegasus."

The one who answered Kitano's questions was Ogawa Jō.

"And by next month, the horse should have grown further."

Recently, Medaima's appetite has begun to slowly increase, and naturally his weight has also changed.

Tanaka, a horse trainer, offered his own advice.

“For a two-year-old horse, it’s essential to figure out the range as quickly as possible.”

Of course, this margin of victory only belongs to the "excellent students" who have escaped from the winning group early on.

"One thousand meters, two thousand, five thousand, seventeen thousand. It's always a good idea to test the range you can run in this order."

Ogawa Jō nodded and continued, "Given Pegasus's fighting spirit, a race within the 1,200-meter range should be more than enough for him."

"It's fine."

Ochiai also spoke at this time.

Medaihira is a racehorse with his own principles.

During competitions or training, it will first act according to the results of its own thinking rather than just blindly accepting instructions.

When their own actions produce positive results, they tend to appear proud; when the results are negative, they will cheer up and make new attempts after a brief period of frustration.

Compared to the overly simple and somewhat vague evaluation of "combatant", "distinctive personality" is probably a better summary of Medaihime's personality traits.

Ochiai, aware of this, supports his master Tanaka's decision.

"Then there's no problem on my end."

After his concerns were eliminated, Kitano readily agreed to the proposal to leave.

"In that case, please work hard together towards next month's competition!"

Tanaka was the first to raise his beer glass.

"Please, everyone!"

Kitano quickly stood up and bowed.

After a moment of cooling, a slightly bitter aroma like citrus peel begins to spread in the mouth.

"Thank you for your hard work, President."

Tanaka said jokingly.

Ogawa Jō and Ochiai also raised their glasses.

The person sitting next to me glanced over briefly, but quickly looked away.

Most likely, it was another gathering of some unknown small club.

Following the beer, the salted Genghis Khan lamb was served.

Put the mutton on the charcoal fire and it soon started to sizzle.

Turn it over appropriately, and the lamb, which changes color rapidly, will emit an appetizing aroma.

"I'm gonna start now!"

The four of them stretched out their chopsticks at the same time.

It's not an overly complex flavor.

But barbecue itself is something that can easily bring people happiness.

The fresh and delicate taste and the juice bursting between the teeth after chewing are enough to make people unable to stop.

After finishing his beer, Kitano stood up first.

Walking slowly on the way home, he loosened the second button of his collar.

The remaining snow beneath the cherry trees should have melted long ago, but a faint chill still lingered on the tip of the tongue, as if holding a piece of thin ice that would never melt.

What will July be like soon?

He was vaguely looking forward to it.

Chapter 18 A Showdown of Difference

"It's time to go."

Ochiai said as he gently patted his partner's neck.

Medo Hirama shook his head in response.

The time is 5:25 in the afternoon.

The game will start in five minutes.

There was a slight tingling sensation on the inside of his thigh, but he thought his arms were still strong enough.

At least I can finish this race.

"Maybe there's no need to be too hasty at the beginning."

There was a light rain not long ago, and the bulletin board showed that the situation was slightly heavier.

Unlike grass, in clay events such a surface is more conducive to the development of a fast pace.

In the previous six games, three of the winners were located near the center.

"I'm counting on you today too!"

The figure in the black suit bent down and said.

"Please leave it to me."

Ochiai also responded solemnly to the horse owner's expectations.

After completing this series of actions, Kitano returned to the stands.

This time, a group of young people also gathered in front of the stands.

Moreover, the number seems to be a little more than last time.

"The third Kaga Tide, the fourth edition of White Horse, the fifth edition."

On the radio, the live broadcast was still slowly announcing the horse racing numbers.

Mudaiba walked into the gate with his head shaking.

Ochiai didn't pay too much attention to this seemingly restless behavior.

Although he sometimes has a childish side on weekdays, Medo Hirama is the type who can switch to a serious state in time.

Sure enough, after entering the gate, the Mubai horse quickly changed into another appearance. Even if the racehorses near the gate kept looking around, it was difficult to distract its attention.

"The seventh match of Monbetsu, Makayama Special."

"The last one to enter the gate was Kaga Tide, at gate number three."

After releasing the leash, the last stable boy ran to the side of the track, covering his yellow helmet.

The gate popped open the next second.

"Game start!"

This time, the live broadcast also failed to react.

Ochiai immediately chose to move closer to the inside.

In a race with only six horses, choosing the route becomes much simpler.

At the same time, the competition in the initial stage will become more intense.

The three horses on the outside simultaneously attacked the inside track.

Kaga Shio of the Third Division had no intention of giving up his position, and the rider Agishi on the saddle took a very determined defensive stance.

"This is getting a bit troublesome."

Ochiai raised his head and saw that the Iwahashi rider in the front had already whipped his horse and was already a clear distance away.

At the outermost position, A Letang from the sixth squad followed suit unwillingly.

It is likely to turn into a fast-paced unfolding.

After making a judgment, Ochiai gave up the attack attempt and chose to follow behind Kaga Shio to conserve his energy.

Just a slight pull of the reins and the white horse immediately understood and started running at a more even pace.

The competition in the initial round finally came to an end.