Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Ogawa Katsu asked as he picked up the leash in his hand.

"Go back. We'll do the stretching in the stable."

Closing the tablet that planned the training schedule, Huangshan nodded.

On the way back to the stable, Mejiro Sakuya took small, happy steps.

He came overseas alone, settled in the stable alone, and trained alone.

Even so, I still maintain a great state of mind.

Mejiro Sakuya is just such a racehorse with great endurance.

Even so, overseas expeditions don't always go smoothly.

A few days before arriving in Dubai, a faint black color began to appear around Mejiro Sakuya's eyes.

It's the fatigue caused by the continued rise in temperature—

After the diagnosis, Kitano came to this conclusion.

As a result, the camp inevitably worried about the prospects of the expedition.

Even if the transportation fever was not more serious, it would still have slightly disrupted the subsequent itinerary.

"If it doesn't get better after a few days, don't run."

Before the horse owner and veterinarian Kitano could open his mouth, the horse trainer Huangshan spoke these decisive words first.

If fatigue persists, training and competition become useless.

Fortunately, after a few days of careful care, Mejiro Sakuya's dark circles quickly disappeared.

As for appetite, of course, there doesn't seem to be much change.

The weight has been established at 500 units with irreversible momentum.

In this regard, both Kitano and Huangshan can only pray that the extra weight will grow to the right place.

Working backwards from the competition to the remaining time, the remaining days are days on which no mistakes can be made.

Only after successfully sending Mejiro Sakuya back to the air-conditioned stable did his tense mood temporarily ease.

After confirming that the deer-hair horse was in normal physical condition, Huangshan lowered his head and began to plan tomorrow's training.

Kitano and Ogawa Masaru were doing leg stretching for Mejiro Sakuya.

Hoof trimmer Zep huddled at the workbench in the corner, frowning as he studied the track samples taken from the Medan racecourse.

The only sound in the stable was the occasional creaking of the German hoof trimmer's chair.

Mejiro Sakuya's gradually steady breathing became clear in this environment.

After stretching, the deer-hair horse exuded a laziness that was even more obvious than usual.

"Get some rest, Sakuya."

Kitano scratched its slightly slack chin.

After turning around, Mejiro Sakuya was already yawning with her eyes half closed.

He left the stable quietly.

After just a short exposure to the outdoors, I inevitably broke out in a sweat when I returned to the hotel.

In the premature heat of summer, the pre-match discussion meeting began.

"If possible, how about trying your best in the first round?"

At the beginning of the meeting, Huangshan, the horse trainer, said this.

The 1800-meter left-turn route on the dirt track of the Meidan Circuit requires passing through four complete bends.

In addition, the track has a fine texture similar to American mud.

Although he had confidence in Mejiro Sakuya's strength, he still considered tactical changes in such a track where taking the lead had a clear advantage.

In the past few UAE Derbys, except for the 2023 race at a fast pace, all of them were won by the leading or first horse.

"If we don't move forward, it will be difficult to participate in the final victory."

This is the conclusion the trainer came to after several days of track exploration.

"Do not--"

The rider, who rarely spoke, took the initiative to break the silence.

The others in the camp looked on.

“You can run even if you start from the back.”

Hetian's tone was calm but firm.

The day before yesterday, Mejiro Sakuya performed a solo chase on the track in Midan.

The time taken was mediocre. After the replay video was released, some people even began to question whether Mejiro Sakuya had spent too much energy in the Saudi Arabia preliminaries.

However, Hotan on horseback clearly felt the pace was relaxed.

“It’s even easier than in Japan and Saudi Arabia.”

Although it may cause people to laugh if I say it out loud, this is the most intuitive feeling of Hotan as a rider.

"With Sakuya's stamina, she can definitely give it a try in Midan."

The straight section from the fourth turn to the finish line in Meidan is 450 meters, slightly shorter than that in Tokyo.

It was enough for Mejiro Sakuya to make her final move.

"Is it--"

Huangshan pursed his lips and didn't say anything else.

The atmosphere seemed to be a little tense.

"Then run as usual."

After a brief consideration, the trainer chose to give in.

Regarding the favorable development of the US-Dan arena, I really can't think of any good response measures.

In this case, it would be better to let Mejiro Sakuya run at her accustomed rhythm.

"Mr. Kitano, what do you think?"

The trainer and the rider simultaneously turned their attention to the owner's side.

"Just use Sakuya's full strength."

After saying that, Kitano stood up resolutely.

All I see is the dazzling blue summer sky.

Thanks to book friend 20230515114556659 for the 3000 Qidian coins reward, and thanks to Dr_Dragan for the 100 Qidian coins reward.

Thank you for your support

Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★

It took too much time to organize the manuscript, so there is only one update today.

Chapter 105 The First Stop of Dreams

Walking into the reviewing ground, what awaits you is a constant noise that attacks your eardrums.

In Japan, people are generally advised not to make noise around racehorses, and walking around the parade grounds is absolutely forbidden.

Such common sense has become completely useless overseas.

"Is it really okay?"

Kimura wiped his forehead with a handkerchief with a nervous look on his face.

The temperature that was almost making him faint and the English words flying around in his ears made him worried.

"It's okay. Sakuya won't be easily shaken by this little disturbance."

Kitano shifted his gaze away from Taoyuan Tea House who was walking in a crab-like gait and also took out a handkerchief.

Even in the evening, the low sun was still scorching the ground.

All the people present were covered in sweat under their suits and ties.

Even so, one still has to muster up the energy to act appropriately.

The so-called "social relations" are just such troublesome things.

The next person to appear is Mejiro Sakuya.

There was no trace of the "competitive spirit" on the deer-haired horse, and there was even a hint of laziness on his face.

During the horse's physical diagnosis, the evaluation of "too relaxed" is probably unavoidable.

“It looks like a good tune.”

Ogawa Kana hugged her arms happily.

"That's right."

Kitano nodded.

But for Mejiro Sakuya, this is the state of the game.

At this time, Wada, wearing a white and green victory suit, also trotted out of the preparation room.

"I'll leave it to you this time too."

Kitano bowed deeply to the rider.

Wada's answer was as concise as ever.

"it is good."

Nodding slightly, the rider looked towards the trainer's position.

The two finally confirmed the tactical arrangement.

Kitano took the opportunity to observe the gaits of the horses running on the parade ground.

It seemed that due to the dual influence of the weather and the atmosphere in the field, most of the racehorses seemed a little agitated.

Especially the expeditionary forces from Europe and Japan.

He shared his discovery with the two people beside him.

"In that case, the initial situation might unfold in an unexpected way."

Ogawa Kana held her chin with a thoughtful expression.

"Hey! Ranbo?"

Kimura, who was already nervous, seemed to be startled.

In this match, Mejiro Sakuya is the second most popular character after Mr. Caesar.

In addition, the position drawn before the race was fifth among the thirteen runners, which is a pretty good position, so it can be considered a popular horse anyway.

If there are chaotic waves, it is not a good thing.

This was Kimura's first reaction.

For the popular horses in the top positions, the normal course of the race is enough.

Of course, this is probably not the case in reality.

On the other side, Hotan, who had finished discussing countermeasures, approached the runway.

When Xuhe Sheng came over with the horse, the rider jumped onto the horse's back.

Although she is not considered to have a stable personality, Mejiro Sakuya is not the type who will be easily disturbed by the outside world.

This young lady lives in her own world that has nothing to do with other horses.

Or are you just interested in eating?

All in all, it's a somewhat strange horse.