Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

"Yes, it's Mejiro Sakuya."

Huangshan stood not far from the carriage with his arms folded across his chest.

The tailgate slowly lowered in sight, and he unconsciously raised his hand to adjust the position of his hat brim.

"So--nervous!"

Majima, who was holding a cell phone, kept twisting his body.

"Don't scare the horse, kid."

Huangshan said with a stern face.

Although he said this, he was also a little nervous.

The moment the crew led the horse out of the carriage, my heart suddenly jumped.

"Amazing!"

Not only Majima, but the stable attendants watching the scene also felt the same way.

Although it is only a short drive of over an hour from Kawasaki, most of the racehorses will be in a somewhat lethargic condition after transportation.

Mejiro Sakuya, however, acted as calm as if she had just returned from herding.

It seemed as if he was still chewing something between his slightly bulging cheeks.

Moreover, the horse's body is really strong.

It feels much more intuitive than in the photos.

Although there was a noticeable limp in his gait while walking, the visual impact was not diminished.

Whether it is the forelimbs or hind limbs, the muscles are quite developed and full.

The muscles on his back rose and fell rhythmically under the light that looked like thin snow.

"Okay, nothing to see."

Having said this, Huangshan took the lead and walked towards the stable.

I quietly quickened my pace along the way.

"Thank you for your hard work."

He pushed open the stable door for the other person and said with his head slightly lowered.

"It's all part of our job duties."

The co-flight attendant turned his head and smiled.

With the help of two stable boys, Mejiro Sakuya was brought to the stable that had been prepared in advance.

The floors and walls are covered with non-slip rubber.

In addition, temperature and humidity sensors and surveillance cameras were specially installed in the stable.

The bedding used is also a slightly different type than that used for other managed horses in the stable.

Amidst a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, Mejiro Sakuya successfully entered the stable.

After the buckle of the traction rope was loosened, the deer-hair horse turned its head to look at the food bowl.

He walked slowly to the food bowl and lowered his head.

There doesn't seem to be any adjustment period at all.

Close the gate with confidence.

"It tastes really good—"

Huangshan smiled, then turned and looked towards the stable door.

Come to think of it, it's about time for Kyozaburo and the others to come back.

"Well, it's almost time for you to go eat."

He pulled away someone who was lying in front of the fence and taking pictures non-stop, and said with a slight headache.

"Sorry! Sorry! But Sakuya is just too cute."

Majima reluctantly put away his phone.

cute--

For a large mare weighing nearly 500 kilograms, this description does not seem to be appropriate.

"This guy must be crazy."

Looking at Majima's hurried back, Huangshan couldn't help but think.

Then, the midday stable inspection began.

Amid the echo of footsteps, I began to think about the situation of next year's season.

There is not much to worry about on the part of the Guma Front.

The stability of the Seattle Tucson is still reassuring, and the horse looks quite imposing.

The horse from the Satomi family has an incredible dominance in competitions other than those involving big prizes.

It's a pity for Di Tianlong, but judging from his current condition, he still has a good chance of participating in the Kawasaki Memorial next year.

Starting from the second half of the year, the Black Hawks, who had been in a slump, regained their spirits and marched towards their fifth season with two consecutive wins.

"Come to think of it, Black Hawk seemed to be the second move of the All-Japan Two-Year-Old Excellent Jun at that time."

I don't remember the barren mountain very clearly.

At that time, Black Hawk was still in the central Otonashi stables.

"Ah, thank you, Kyozaburo."

He took the packaged pork belly set meal from the training assistant and walked towards the lounge.

My thoughts continued to wander in the same direction as before.

On the classic front, the first is Mejiro Sakuya.

Even though he lost the fight with Mr. Caesar, his strength was clearly evident.

He was a complete stranger not long ago, but he successfully obtained such a strong horse from the owner of the North Wild Horse.

For this, Huangshan could only be grateful.

As for the planning of Mejiro Sakuya's classic year route, it actually doesn't require too much thought.

Clay Classic Triple Crown——

This is a clear choice before us.

According to the current momentum, there is a good chance of winning even in the Japanese Clay Track Classic where strong horses from the central area are competing.

The first public-owned triple crown after the restructuring may be born next year.

However, the message I saw on my phone not long ago suddenly came to my mind.

[After remaining youthful, Yahagi's next mud-land answer: Mr. Caesar sets his sights on the world.]

"If he can do it, why can't I?"

Such thoughts involuntarily emerged in my mind.

The dream-like goal flashed through my mind as quickly as an electric shock.

The next moment, I couldn't help but feel fear.

Just thinking about such talk would make you laugh.

Putting down the disposable chopsticks, Huangshan patted his slightly hot cheeks.

Moreover, apart from daydreaming about the Triple Crown route, which is a sure thing, no trainer with a normal mind would have such an idea.

but--

Using the inferior to defeat the superior is the tradition of Southern Kanto.

And it's no big deal.

Even the hero from Iwate Prefecture lost to the central government several times.

With the mentality of "even Mingzheng Opera can't do it anyway", I suddenly felt relieved when I thought about it.

The thought that was only the size of a thread at first began to expand rapidly, almost bursting the chest.

After unzipping his jacket, Huangshan's breathing became a little heavy.

"It's really just a little bit of ginger. If you can't even accept that, then there's nothing I can do."

Kyozaburo scratched the back of his head and whispered to the trainer, who had been acting even weirder than usual since a while ago.

Although I know that Master Huangshan doesn't like the taste of ginger, this is the first time I've seen such a big reaction.

"I made a decision!"

Huangshan suddenly pounded the table.

The chopsticks bounced up and fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.

Being brought back to reality from a state of frenzy.

Being able to make up one's mind——

It doesn't seem like he is the trainer who just took over.

Chapter 78 The Road to Kentucky

On the winter solstice before Christmas, Kitano came to Tokyo after a short absence.

It all started when I received a call from Master Huangshan.

"Regarding Mejiro Sakuya, there is something very important that needs to be discussed in person."

It has a somewhat serious tone.

When I received such a call, I couldn't help but be shocked.

Fortunately, after further questioning, nothing bad happened.

According to Master Arashiyama, Mejiro Sakuya completed her entry into the stable very smoothly.

What needs to be discussed is the choice of route.

"Is this really necessary?"

At that time, such doubts arose in Kitano's mind.

As early as the meeting before entering the stable, he thought that the discussion about the route was over.

However, I still booked a flight to Tokyo.

The Keikyu Line from the airport to Shinagawa is not too crowded for holidays.

Breaking through the cold wind, the tram roared past on the viaduct.

When I was transferring at Shinagawa Station, the station had already been decorated in a Christmas style.

However, most of the passers-by still looked hurried.

Following the direction of the crowd, Kitano took the next train.

After two transfers, I finally got off at Kobayashi Station in Chiba.

Then there is about two kilometers to go.

It takes less than ten minutes to get from the airport to Oi Racecourse.

But if we change the destination to Kobayashi Ranch, it will take more than two hours.

No wonder Ooi gives Kobayashi's horse owners higher rewards for leaving and winning.

It is indeed a very inconvenient place.

It was two and a half hours after getting off the plane when we arrived at the meeting place, Chaya.

In front of the faded nora curtains, the uneasy sound of leather shoes tapping on the wooden floor could be heard.