Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 298 A Break in the Expedition

A week before the Hong Kong Bottle event began, the team temporarily returned to Hokkaido.

After the "most peaceful November," the ranch is soon getting busy.

In addition to the usual one-year-old horse assessment, there are unavoidable things to consider, such as Anna's physical conditioning plan.

For horse owners, although the plan is to submit the JRA horse owner application after the Lunar New Year, preparations for qualification verification and the assessment of recommenders also need to begin.

In addition-

I received a suggestion from Tanaka, who was from another school, to leave with a generous reward.

Although he ultimately failed to qualify for the Hong Kong International Race Walking Day, Mu Baima's performance has actually improved further.

In Tanaka's words, it was to the extent that "it would be a waste not to take the opportunity to run around."

Nagoya Grand Prix -

The stable recommends the JpnIII exchange prize at Nagoya Racecourse's 2000m dirt track.

In recent years, Daoying Strong Horses has usually used this race as a "final race after the final race".

Besides using this as a springboard to advance into the South Northeast or the Central region, it is also a rare opportunity for local horses to compete against Central racehorses.

"If Pegasus is okay, then let's give it a try."

They readily agreed to the stables' proposal to leave.

As for the reasons—

Of course, there are very few green amulets left.

On the way back to Mishi from New Chitose Airport, we happened to pass through Bucheon, where the Monbetsu Racecourse is located.

So, I took the opportunity to visit the Tanaka stables, which were nominally on holiday.

Despite only being gone for a few days, the snow in Hokkaido has already piled up to a rather alarming level.

The distant mountains were also covered with a blinding white.

Perhaps because it was the cold season, or perhaps because the racecourse was closed, we hardly encountered anyone on the way to the stables.

but--

Although it's supposed to be a winter break without matches, things are far from relaxing here.

As the only racecourse in the area that started with training, the trainers during the off-season are even busier than on the day of the big prize.

When we arrived at the stable, Tanaka was working with the stable staff to desensitize the newly arrived one-year-old horses.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid~ It's good—"

While stroking the pony's body with his specially gloved palms, the trainer encouraged the pony in an unusually gentle tone.

Although it's just a basic desensitization method, the technique is quite sophisticated.

The pony seemed a little nervous during the training, but it gradually got used to the stimulation of the areas being touched.

Perhaps noticing the gaze fixed on him, the trainer raised his head.

"You're here, President Kitano."

After handing the pony over to the stable boy, Tanaka walked over with a smile.

“In the morning, I tried having Pegasus walk alongside a kid who was aiming for the three crowns of the Dao Camp on the indoor slope.”

"The results of it?"

“Pegasus has completely left him behind.”

"That sounds really incredible!"

"Yes, the atmosphere at the time was like they were going to devour that child."

"It's too exaggerated."

"That's how great I am."

The two walked side by side towards the heated lounge, chatting as they went. Tanaka glanced briefly at the tracking time taken with his phone; it was indeed very impressive data.

“In most cases, Pegasus is a rare type who can execute training plans perfectly.”

Tanaka said this and sat down in a small, one-person-wide seat next to the bench.

"But there are also some troublesome situations."

Upon hearing this, both of them quickly burst into laughter.

"Yes—but that kid's fighting spirit and physique are gradually maturing. The rest is to hone them slowly through actual combat and Sakamichi."

Using indoor ramps for long-distance, progressive training during winter was a suggestion made by Master Tanaka after the dojo commemoration.

Since we can't go to Hong Kong, we'll just have to stick to the original training plan.

"The only thing left for Pegasus to unleash his full racing potential is probably a workout to improve his cardiovascular fitness."

"Teacher Tanaka must have had a really tough time."

"No, it was more of Pegasus's own efforts."

At this point, the trainer suddenly took a deep breath.

Then, he made a somewhat unexpected suggestion—

"If Pegasus performs well at the Nagoya Grand Prix, how about we move him to the central area?"

A little surprised.

It wasn't that I was surprised by the idea of ​​"letting Pegasus go to the center," but rather by the person who proposed it.

“‘At least let Pegasus try the grassland,’ that’s what Genta asked me before he left.”

The horse trainer smiled and shook his head, but his tone subtly changed.

Sure enough, no one was willing to accept it.

"so--"

Tanaka took off his baseball cap and put it back on, speaking in a slightly more serious tone.

"If possible, how about letting that child give it a try?"

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

"Meguro Hideki" calmly and steadily enters the Longines Hong Kong market.

Newcomer Japanese trainer Daisuke Mashima's prized horse "Meshiro Hideyoshi" defeated the Japanese Oak (2400m) in the first half of the year as a local racehorse. He is confident that the horse will outperform local and overseas competitors in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m Group 12 race) at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday (December 12) and add another championship honor to its collection.

Daisuke Mashima said, "For me, I only let horses compete when they are in their best condition, and I need to be more patient with horses that are returning from injury."

Tsubasa Sasakawa, a Japanese local horse racing club rider who will be partnering with "Mejiro Hideki" in the Hong Kong Vase, said before turf training at Sha Tin today (Tuesday, December 7): "'Mejiro Hideki's' adjustment time is in line with the team's expectations. She is the kind of rider who needs to be fully prepared before she can perform at her best in a race."

Daisuke Mashima said, "We won't underestimate any opponent, but we have confidence in the horse's performance over this distance."

——HKJC
"[@dokeiba：

The star of the show, who will never give up his leading role—

Two white horses have decided to leave the Nagoya Grand Prix! (Two Hokkaido horses have left the race)
It's a pity that Tanaka Shi didn't seize the opportunity to go abroad, but he delivered a very good performance at the memorial service, and his mental strength has been further enhanced.
In the next phase, we plan to let him try different options.

——Keep going! Hokkaido Horse Racing

"Ryuji Wada, the former rider who passed the JRA trainer's test."

"I have received a lot of help from many people since the very beginning of my time as a rider, and this time, even before I passed the test, many people have been supporting me. I am very grateful to everyone."

There are only three months left before the next phase of work officially begins; we must hurry.

——《n○tkeiba》

"Jockey Hiroyuki Uchida, who will retire on December 5, will continue to participate in horse racing as a trainer."
"I hope to encounter all sorts of racehorses in a role other than that of a jockey."

——《n○tkeiba》

(End of this chapter)