Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 177 The End of the Lunar New Year

On the last Friday of the New Year, Chiba was still in the depths of winter.

Even with a thick coat, the cold still penetrated my bones mercilessly.

The female rider pursed her lips and greeted the horse owner before getting close.

Two months after the original main rider Wada retired, the camp chose a new partner for Mejiro Sakuya - 35-year-old British female rider Kim Mi-kye.

This decision came as a surprise to many people.

However, Kim Maggie was not actually the camp's first choice.

When Huangshan sent the riding commission to the preferred rider Lian Dawen, he received a rejection.

The agent persuaded him to give up the commission for "reasons beyond horse racing".

Although they were a little disappointed, Kitano and Huangshan immediately contacted Jin Meiqi, who was on a short-term exemption period, after discussion.

When she received the heavy commission of "I'm not asking you to ride, but to win", even this female rider with Grade 1 racing experience could not hide her uneasiness.

In the end, Jin Meiqi solemnly accepted this request with the Dubai World Cup as the goal.

Today is the first time the camps meet, and the location is Kobayashi Ranch in Chiba.

Kitano and Kim Mi-ki briefly looked at each other with restrained eyes.

The female rider had a serious expression on her face, but a hint of nervousness inadvertently appeared between her brows.

"Good morning, Rachel Rider."

Kitano greeted the rider who had the same name as the female ranch employee.

After a brief handshake and greeting, the owner, trainer, stable boy and rider walked towards the stables together.

"The team plans to depart for Dubai on February 25th and will stay there to adjust to the situation before the official competition."

As they walked, Huangshan introduced the camp plan to the female rider.

Kim Meiqi, who was not very fluent in Japanese, nodded and responded casually.

The expression on his face was more confused than perfunctory.

Ogawa Katsu, who was acting as a temporary translator, repeated it in English.

"I see, but isn't that a little early?"

Jin Meiqi soon raised this question again.

Dubai World Cup night is usually held on the last Saturday in March, and unless you are traveling from the Saudi Cup, it is rare to choose such an early departure time.

In response to this, Kitano said: "We hope to face the game at 100%."

"I will also rush to Dubai as early as possible to participate in training."

The female rider nodded again, her breath coming out as white steam.

Stopping in front of the stable, he could already tell with his naked eyes that the deer-hair racehorse in front of him was different.

Despite her large size, the flabby side of Mejiro Sakuyama's body is not noticeable.

On the contrary, the power contained in the muscles of both the forequarters and hindquarters is very obvious.

Shaking its ears lazily, the deer-haired horse slowly walked towards the door.

"Please don't feed her candy, President Kitano."

Huangshan looked at Kitano's wrist reaching into his pocket helplessly and gave him a warning.

Although it is not a big deal, you should still try to limit your intake of various extra energy sources as much as possible during weight management.

What's more, the proposal to continue reducing weight was made by Kitano himself.

"Ah, sorry."

Kitano smiled awkwardly, and withdrew his fingers that had reached into his pocket as if he had been electrocuted.

The deer-hair horse immediately shook its ears and rolled up its three white eyes.

"It looks just like a little girl."

Jin Meiqi said with a smile, while stretching out her hand hesitantly.

Lifting her chin to the edge of the movable fence, Mejiro Sakuya rubbed her head against her slightly rough palm.

"Yeah, it's always been like this."

Kitano sighed.

Although he has become more mature physically, his personality has not changed much from before.

Normally, if she wants something, she'll come over even without being called by name. Just like now.

"Want to try riding it?"

Huangshan asked in English with a mixed accent.

Jin Meiqi moved her hand away and nodded without hesitation.

So Ogawa Katsu led out Mejiro Sakuya and began to install various horse harnesses.

Since he is a very calm and reliable type, he does not need any additional equipment.

The saddle was quickly installed, and the man and horse came to the track outside the stable.

Even after stepping onto the track, Mejiro Sakuya still had a dazed expression as if she hadn't woken up yet.

It is said that one can more or less tell whether a racehorse has extraordinary qualities by looking at it.

However, when it comes to Mejiro Sakuya, this logic doesn't make sense.

Her eyes always looked gentle and lazy, and only became slightly alert when eating.

But on this day, Jin Meiqi seemed to see a fiery light in its eyes.

The female rider climbed onto the horse's back easily and nodded to the people in the camp.

"The starting position is very good. The hindquarters can finally be used properly."

Huangshan took off the cheering baseball cap embroidered with "MEJIRO" and put it on again, with an excited look on his face.

"But this level of muscle is almost enough."

Recalling the advice from the Advisory Group regarding muscles, Kitano spoke.

“That’s what I mean—”

Huangshan let out a sigh of agreement.

The wind blowing across my face was so cold that I couldn't help but shed tears just by blinking.

On the track, Mejiro Sakuya's figure gradually moved away.

The figure of a strange rider was reflected in the flying black mane.

When I first started riding, I felt completely different from other horses.

Moreover, it seems that this horse race is not as difficult to manipulate as rumored.

Since it was not a formal training, after riding for a short distance, Jin Meiqi quickly turned around and returned to the entrance of the track.

Facing several reporters who rushed over after hearing the news, the female rider confidently straightened her chest after getting off the horse.

"Incredible girl, she can definitely win the Dubai World Cup!"

After shaking her ears as if in agreement, Mejiro Sakuya suddenly lowered her head.

Xu Hesheng, who was jogging over, quickly grabbed the reins and stopped her from putting the roadside weeds into her mouth.

The deer-hair horse stomped its front hooves as if feeling aggrieved, drawing laughter from those around it.

Ogawa Katsu, the stable boy, sighed softly and helplessly, like a babysitter comforting a child.

"You can't eat this, Miss."

------------

"【Pay attention to horse movements】

Mejiro Sakuya, who is about to compete in the Tokyo Grand Prix, is scheduled to travel to Dubai on February 25 to prepare for the DWC. She will first undergo a two-week quarantine at the Oi Racecourse.

Second walk target DWC
The rider on the saddle is Jin Meiqi. "

——《n○tkeiba》

"【Gaoyue Appreciation】

Until 10:4 AM on April 18 (Sunday)

Please choose your favorite horse from the Classic Year and vote."

——『Excellent Horse』

　Thanks to the well-known braised pork for the 500 starting coins, and thanks to the wanton flying for the 500 starting coins.

　　Thank you for your support

　　Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★
　　Chapter 2: Late

　　
　
(End of this chapter)