Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Although he was reluctant, Ogawa Katsu had to admit this fact.

[When it comes to horse-hunting, my sister is much more professional than me.]

This is exactly how he explained it to Kitano.

"Please don't worry."

Ogawa Kana showed a confident smile on her face.

The two came to Xinsheng Ranch.

Although it was a little earlier than the agreed time, Kimura was already waiting at the ranch gate.

"Welcome, Mr. Kitano!"

Looking at Ogawa Kana who walked out of the passenger seat, his eyes paused for a moment, but he quickly said as if nothing had happened, "Please follow me, both of you."

Kana Ogawa began to observe the surroundings of the ranch with the oppressive eyes of a JA examiner.

Kimura scratched his head, somewhat confused.

The ranch staff, who had prepared early, led the Resistance Queen to the open area in front of the grazing ground.

The girl's brow furrowed slightly.

At the beginning, I noticed the very protruding right hind leg of the Resistance Queen.

"Mr. Kitano should also know the impact of lameness on racehorses, right?"

She stood on tiptoe and whispered in Kitano's ear.

"I can't say I've done any research, but I do know about this."

Kitano nodded.

"In that case, there won't be any problem."

The vigilance on Ogawa Kana's face disappeared in an instant.

If it were a stupid younger brother, he would probably be trying to persuade Mr. Kitano foolishly.

However, she is not the type to meddle in other people's business.

Since this is already known, there is nothing more to say.

Thinking of this, the girl walked to the side of the Resistors Queen.

Unlike other two-year-old ponies who are relatively energetic, Resistors Queen seems to be a more docile type.

When faced with a stranger suddenly approaching, there is no intention to be alert.

Ogawa Kana raised her hand and waved it in front of the Resistor Queen.

Tilting his head slightly, the deer-haired horse looked at the girl with some curiosity.

"It's a bit too slow, but it does have a pretty good body."

Ogawa Kana bent down again and further observed the condition of the legs and hooves.

She somewhat understood why Kitano wanted to buy the horse.

He seems to be the type with great endurance, and he walks with great power.

Judging from the pedigree chart, it is indeed biased towards mud.

Putting aside the lameness, there is no doubt that this is a racehorse born for mud.

"It's a good horse indeed—"

After completing the observation, Ogawa Kana returned to Kitano.

"He's a rather docile type, but he might be too docile to the point of being a bit slow."

"The leg strength seems to be very strong, and you can feel the potential from the occasional movements."

"The body is also very strong, and the waist should be able to use strength well."

Without any personal emotions, Kanna Ogawa gave her own evaluation very pertinently.

Kimura and the staff gathered in a circle breathed a sigh of relief.

"Shame on the limp."

Then, the girl added a crucial sentence.

Their hearts suddenly rose to their throats again.

"It's okay, this is also expected."

Kitano nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Ogawa."

"It's just a trivial matter."

Ogawa Kana narrowed her eyes slightly and observed the uneasy expressions on the ranch staff's faces with interest.

After opening the system panel, Kitano used up his [Detector] three times in one breath.

As for the target, it is naturally the Queen of Resistance.

Miss Pro2023/Resistance Queen (Unnamed)

【Female 2】

【Deer hair】

[Distance suitability:?]

[Race suitability: Grass △ Mud ◎]

【Foot texture: ? 】

【Growth type:?】

[Temperament:?]

【character:?】

【speed:?】

【physical strength:? 】

[Winning or losing nature:? ]

[Instant Power: B-]

[Strength: C+]

【healthy:?】

【Xian:? 】

[Spiritual power:?]

【Softness:? 】

At least judging from the abilities he has already demonstrated, he is indeed a racehorse with potential on mud tracks.

"Don't worry, even if I can't become a great racehorse, I will make sure you keep running as healthy as possible."

After taking a deep look at the Queen of Resistance, Kitano thought silently.

Keep running healthily——

This is what he expects from the Queen of Resistance.

Then, he spoke.

"There's nothing wrong with what I'm saying, Mr. Kimura."

He held Kimura's slightly sweaty hand together.

"The quotation is established."

On the side, Ogawa Kanna watched the scene with a smile.

It is said that this horse will also be handed over to Nishiken for management.

This way, Dad and Asheng will have a lot to do.

Chapter 28 Before the Selection Meeting

That afternoon, Kitano and Ogawa Kanna returned to Nishiken Ranch.

After the court is established, the Queen of Resistance will stay in the new ranch for a while.

The official entry into the stable will have to wait until Kitano completes the horse name registration and racing registration, and submits the application for departure to the Hokkaido Racing Association.

During this period, the staff of Xinsheng Ranch will continue to train the Resistance Queen in the new horse ability test.

The content of the ability test mainly focuses on items related to gate opening and race walking ability.

"Mr. Kitano, what's the situation?"

After greeting everyone, Ogawa Jō asked first.

Behind him, Masaru Ogawa also cast a curious look at him.

Judging from his complexion, the boy seemed to have almost recovered from his cold.

"The acquisition was completed. Ms. Xuhe was really helpful."

Kitano handed out the yokan and matcha daifuku he bought on the way as a thank you gift.

"No need to be so polite! I just did some small things."

Taking the gift box with both hands, Xuhe Zhang said with a smile.

On the other side, the brother and sister also started communicating.

"You owe me a favor."

Ogawa Kanna clearly had this look in her eyes.

"It's just a matter of talking!"

"I went there for you~"

Ogawa Kana raised her chin slightly, revealing a somewhat smug expression.

There's really no reason to refute it.

Xuhe Sheng had no choice but to nod helplessly and was defeated in this duel.

"Mr. Kitano should also be attending the selection meeting tomorrow, right?"

"That's right, but I don't have anyone in particular to focus on at the moment."

Kitano said truthfully.

Although he received the entry list for this year's auction early like other horse owners, he has not put too much effort into it so far.

On the one hand, it is out of "trust" in one's own eyesight, and on the other hand, the [detector] must be used in the field.

Moreover, with the bids at select auctions often reaching tens of millions of yen, Kitano's available funds of just over 10 million yen are really nothing.

Not to mention that a considerable portion of this money has other uses.

"That's it"

Xuhe Zhang nodded, with no intention of asking further questions.

Is the target kept secret for now?

However, I can somewhat understand Mr. Kitano's difficulties.

In the past, the relationship between horse owners and producers was closer than it is today, with trainers acting as a bridge between the two parties.

But that was a long time ago.

The introduction of the auction system completely broke the tacit understanding between "horse owners, trainers and producers".

Even new horse owners have the opportunity to buy racehorses with excellent pedigree and outstanding physique through auctions.

There doesn't even need to be contact between the producer and the horse owner.

In this case, if the target is exposed before the auction, it is likely to cause unnecessary trouble.