Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 270 Cold
I spent a busy but not exactly relaxing few days after returning to Japan from the United States.

Atalanta, who finished the preliminary rounds with a score of four, will be heading to the main tournament next week.

Popularity, third place.

Determined to avenge their defeat in the preliminary battle, the troops moved into the stables of Takeshi Shiro in Kuritō early on to prepare for the war.

It's 4:12 AM at Mejiro Ranch.

I woke up early and found that there were already unread messages on LINE.

I unlocked my phone from sleep mode, swiped the screen, and tapped on the message.

【Daisuke Mashima, horse trainer】

The reception time was 3:46 AM, about half an hour ago.

Wow, you got up really early!

Although this is not a time to make a fuss for those working in the horse racing industry.

Moreover, speaking of the message the trainer sent early this morning—

[Regarding Atalanta]

My heart skipped a beat when I saw that sentence.

I tapped the screen with a bit of force with my fingertip and opened the next message from the horse trainer.

I'm so sorry, but it seems Ata-chan caught a cold last night.

In the attached picture, a small string of clear snot is seen flowing from the chestnut horse's nostrils.

The last vestiges of sleepiness vanished completely.

While hurriedly washing up, I scrolled through the messages sent by the horse trainer.

The discovery took place at 3:30 a.m., when Okizawa stable boy was replenishing the hay before morning training, as usual.

Although she looks no different than usual, her breathing seems to have become heavier.

Out of caution, I immediately asked Li Dong's veterinarian to conduct an examination.

It appears to be a viral upper respiratory tract infection caused by changes in climate and living environment.

This is what is commonly known as a mild cold.

The possibility of more serious diseases such as equine influenza, equine herpes, or even stridor has been ruled out.

Slightly relieved.

Follow the veterinarian's instructions first.

After entering the information, click "Send Message".

It instantly changed to a read status.

Before the trainer could reply, another message was sent.

I'll head over to Lidong right away.

I managed to book a flight from New Chitose to Kansai before the payment was completed.

He hurriedly entrusted the ranch to Lavid, who had just woken up, and then rushed to the airport.

Although it was a flight other than regular seats, which I had never experienced before, I wasn't in the mood to enjoy it at all.

I spent the time on the plane without feeling sleepy, and it was already 4:30 in the evening when I arrived in Lidong by rental car.

It took about twelve hours.

"I'm so sorry."

The first thing Majima said upon meeting was a deep bow and an apology.

Following behind, Takeshiro had an expression on his face that looked like he was about to cry.

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

The breath he exhaled was distinctly white.

This year's temperature drop seems to have come exceptionally early.

"The blood test results from the horse racing health lab are in, and the white blood cell count is not significantly abnormal."

"Then it must be a viral infection."

I initially thought it would be a weakened immune system due to transportation stress and seasonal changes, which allowed bacteria to take advantage of the vulnerability and cause an infection.

The result was somewhat unexpected.

"That's right. That's exactly what happened."

Majima nodded his head in a dry tone.

Compared to bacterial or viral infections, which require a much longer recovery period, this type of infection primarily relies on conservative, supportive therapy. "It's really a headache—"

The frustration rising in his chest climbed up to his throat and quickly turned into a sigh.

"I'm so sorry."

Majima apologized again, and Koshiro followed suit by bowing deeply.

"Let's go take a look first."

Earlier today, several horses in the same stable that developed cold symptoms were moved to a special stable for isolation.

Although it's unclear who infected whom first, there's not much point in dwelling on that now.

Upon arrival at the quarantine barn, the veterinarian in charge of diagnosis and the barn staff, Sasakawa and Okisawa, were already waiting at the door.

From a distance, the chestnut horse did look somewhat listless than usual.

Although I was prepared, my mood became even heavier at this moment.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the veterinarian began by explaining the situation.

"The situation is much more optimistic than I expected. This is a very strong horse, contrary to its appearance."

"If it's a case where antibiotics are used, maybe we can still catch up—"

"Don't use antibiotics!"

He was interrupted by Majima before he could finish speaking.

Sasagawa and Okisawa, the stable staff member, also slightly opened their mouths, their faces showing an expression of wanting to say something but holding back.

"Feel sorry."

The horse trainer bowed repeatedly, while the veterinarian with round-framed glasses waved dismissively.

Everyone turned to look at Kitano as if they had agreed beforehand.

"Standard supportive therapy will suffice."

The decision was made without any hesitation.

When you have a viral cold, all your muscles will feel sore and stiff, and even eating becomes difficult.

"Ata-chan must be having a tough time in this state."

"So, it's best not to force yourself."

Enjoy the autumn blossoms, but don't wander off.

Even disregarding emotional factors, sacrificing a few weeks for the long-term health and more stable competitive lifespan of a racehorse is a more rational choice.

On the Majima stable side, the three of them simultaneously let out a sigh-like exhale.

Takeshiro Takeyuki kept apologizing with red eyes.

After seeing off Shiro, who was crying like a child, the members of the group held a small meeting in the activity room of the stables.

Although it wasn't a serious illness, subsequent training and competition plans had to be readjusted.

"You can add a little honey to your morning water, but not too much, just a little bit."

The trainer was still repeating the veterinarian's instructions to the stable hand, Okizawa, while Kitano silently looked up at the wall.

A newly updated annual schedule of major sporting events hangs on the wall.

My attention was first drawn to a match in mid-November.

The Queen Elizabeth Cup is a G1 female-only race on a 2200-meter grass course in Kyoto.

Both the venue and the distance are very suitable, and the intensity of the mares-only race is relatively low.

However, the 56-kilogram weight limit and Guma's departure are also disadvantages.

and--

A one-month recovery window is still a bit of a stretch.

My gaze shifted downwards to another G1 match.

"If it were this match—"

The next moment, a panel appeared in their field of vision.

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

"【Pay attention to horse movements】

Due to a sudden cold, Mejiro Atalanta (from Daisuke Mashima's stables) will forfeit the final stage of the classic mares race, the Akika Sho.

——《n○tkeiba》

(End of this chapter)