Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 121: Yashibao Championship in the Rain
On the first day of May, the air was filled with the smell of dampness.

Thick dark clouds painted the earth gloomy, and soon it began to rain.

Even so, the entrance to Churchill Gardens was still crowded.

Everywhere there is a vibrant explosion of colors and sounds.

In the preparation room, six riders in colorful clothes stood up one after another.

When they opened the door, they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers.

Like countless other riders who have achieved greatness in Churchill Park, Hetian weaves his way through the crowds of well-dressed riders.

A few minutes later, the team of riders arrived at the open-air stables where they had left before their departure.

The racehorses at Churchill Park will be saddled here and head to the racecourse to the cheers of thousands of people.

"It looks a little nervous!"

Huangshan, who was adjusting the bit for Katuna, shouted loudly.

The surroundings were so noisy that they had to raise their voices when communicating.

The chestnut horse's three white eyes were fixed on the front, and its front hooves had been digging the ground continuously since a while ago.

Hetian patted its neck and clearly felt the tense muscles.

"no problem."

It's just gearing up and getting ready for the upcoming game.

Kitano squatted on the ground and carefully examined the condition of Katuna's joints.

Although he had passed the pre-race physical examination by the event's veterinarian, he still wanted to confirm it in person.

"My muscles are a little tight."

Turning his head to avoid the whistling ponytail, Kitano stood up and said.

He touched Katuna's head, which was slightly wet with sweat, trying to prevent him from getting too excited before the game.

The chestnut horse quickly shook off his grip and let out a short neigh with its nostrils flared.

"Okay, as long as you like it."

So he nodded to Wada.

"please."

After bowing slightly, Kitano stepped aside.

With the help of the trainer, Hetian climbed onto the horse's back.

"Come on, uncle!"

Outside the open-air stable, the brown-haired man clenched his fist in encouragement.

The boy with a short haircut silently held the little girl's hand.

On that face that looked very similar to Hetian, the lips and teeth moved slightly.

The crowd was noisy and the boy's words were completely drowned out by the din.

Hetian pursed his lips, grasped the reins and began to move towards the parade circle.

The cool touch of raindrops on the back of his hand made him even calmer.

Pulling the reins stopped Katuna from biting the horse's mane.

"He's such a bad boy!"

The rider of the inducing horse smiled and patted his partner to comfort him.

Wada nodded awkwardly, then put on his goggles before entering the gate.

While waiting, Katuna's front hooves slightly stirred up the mud in front of him.

"Something is wrong."

Catching this movement, Hetian subconsciously tightened the reins.

Then, the last runner was led into the gate.

The guide got behind the racehorse and closed the rear door with one hand.

“They’re—”

The bell rang and the gates popped open.

"In the Alysheba!"

The next moment, the live broadcast was completely drowned out by thunderous cheers.

In the splashing mud and water, the chestnut horse raised its head and took a step forward.

In the center of the track, the close combat will be intense.

The next moment after leaving the gate, Hetian made this judgment.

So he pulled the reins sideways, trying to guide Katuna to the inside close to the railing.

Unexpectedly, the innermost Moya rider blocked outwards with a more forceful attitude, directly blocking the route to the inner fence.

"There's nothing we can do about it."

Hetian pulled the reins slightly, intending to slow down the pace.

Although the course is similar to the Kentucky Derby, the starting straight for the Ascot Stakes is slightly shorter.

If you enter the curve at your current pace, it's easy to waste too much energy.

The armature, however, transmitted a feeling of resistance. Katuna showed no sign of slowing down.

The chestnut horse raised its head high and stepped into the curve, keeping close to its opponent.

The flow of the game changed in an instant.

The other four riders on the outside skillfully manipulated the reins, forcing each other to the inside close to the railing.

In races with fewer horses and more complex tracks, the role that riders can play becomes more obvious.

This is exactly what is happening right now.

Almost every rider wanted to drive the other to the inner box, while at the same time they were wary of opponents with the same intention.

Although it was only a competition between six pairs of people and horses, the intensity was no less than any game that Hetian had ridden in the past.

Along with the mud kicked up by the hind hooves came a figure that was constantly approaching.

The competition completely turned into a clash between humans and horses.

Moya, who was closest to the inside, cursed vaguely.

There is no way out.

The situation did not improve after entering the straight.

The route leading outwards was heavily guarded, with riders doing everything in their power to block each other's path.

It's a slightly slower pace.

Hotan, who was in the center like the middle layer of a sandwich, raised his head.

Although the fight continued, everyone was deliberately controlling the pace.

"still have a chance."

He silently tightened his grip on the reins.

The moment the rhythm changes, there will be a brief disconnect between the team.

We must seize that gap!

Before the game, almost everyone had no expectations for Katuna, who was ranked sixth in popularity.

But this is no reason to do nothing.

Due to the misjudgment in the initial set, the game has become the difficult situation it is now.

Well, at least you have to clean up the mess you made.

As the curve approached, Hetian threw all thoughts out of his mind.

All that remained in the rider's eyes was the impenetrable wall of horses in front of him.

Appeared?

not yet.

Until the black and white furlong rod flashed by in the peripheral vision, the expected gap still had not opened.

The final straight line is not far away.

Do you want to pull it out forcefully?

Do not--

During this process, there is a high probability of collision between horses.

Given that Katuna's physique is not outstanding among the participating horses, fighting will only further increase his disadvantage.

As if unaware of the increasingly unfavorable situation, the rider patiently waited for the opportunity.

Then, at the last part of the curve—

Moya squeezed out forcefully, leaving a narrow gap at the innermost side.

Can you go there?

Before I could even begin to hesitate, I instinctively pulled the reins.

It seemed like something rubbed against me.

But it passed.

So he waved the whip and began to urge the horses along with the movements of his hands.

Katona was breathing heavily, and his whole body exuded a murderous aura that kept strangers away.

but--

The distance did not get closer.

Even the royal blue outline at the very back of the herd was shrinking little by little in sight.

It seems that I can’t catch up.

So, Hetian simply put away the whip.

The sound of hooves ahead gradually faded away.

The white and green figure crossed the finish line alone.

　Thanks to Xiaotian for the 1500 starting coins reward

　　Thank you for your support

　　Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★
　　I have a bit of diarrhea, so there are only two updates today.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)