Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 327 Tropical Night at the Beginning of the Year
2028 3 Month 25 Day.

It was 3:45 PM Japan time, which was the morning in Dubai.

Since her defeat in last year's Aster Stakes, the petite chestnut-haired figure has once again visited the grass of Zhongshan Racecourse.

As predicted before the race, the positions of the 13 horses that started the race were almost determined the moment they left the gate at the Nikkei Sho, which is 2,500 meters long.

"The herd passed the stands for the first time, covering 1,000 meters in one minute and one second. This is a relatively fast pace for a good track, led by Atalanta who was leading the way!"

Expand smoothly.

Listening to the live broadcast from the other end of the screen, the tension in my chest slowly eased.

"That's it, Ata-chan!"

The next second, Zep's infuriating shouting came from beside me.

Even members of the half-fan support group, such as Arashiyama and Kimura, seemed to be inspired by the atmosphere and started waving their fists at the TV screen.

While enduring the continuous bombardment of high-decibel noise, the Nikkei Prize race also progressed to the end of the straight line directly opposite each other at a fast pace unlike in previous years.

Because they dared not allow Atalanta, who had a Group 1 racing track record, to pull away, the herd of horses kept close behind at a slightly faster pace, forming a relatively bulky line for a long-distance race as they entered the bend.

"It's coming—"

Although I had a relatively calm feeling, the moment the game had reached was still exciting and unsettling.

"Turning from the fourth bend into a straight, Atalanta Megumi's escape continues. The momentum from behind hasn't started yet, but the herd is finally on the correct track! The correct track is on!"

"However, Mejiro Atalanta is the ultimate victor!"

As if to sweep away the gloom of last autumn, Atalanta and Sasagawa completely left the pack behind, and even before the finish line, the riders wearing white and green victory uniforms started celebrating with their whips.

"Mejiro Atalanta escapes and wins, the second generation of idols is resurrected!"

"The ticket to the Shield of Spring is accepted by the visitor with the chestnut hair!"

The frenzied shouts from both inside and outside the screen gradually overlapped, and the grand prize of 2,500 meters in Zhongshan, under the bright sunshine, finally came to an end with the Chestnut Marsh winning after seven years.

"Congratulations, Kitano-kun."

"It's so great to have won!"

"That child is indeed very competitive."

Congratulatory messages came from all directions, and then my phone started shaking.

After a simple celebration with non-alcoholic champagne, the temporary group of friends quickly dispersed.

"This child will probably go running in the spring, right?"

The barren mountain, left on the sofa, cast a curious glance at them.

"No, we'll have to see how well he recovers next month."

Although the race in Dubai has not yet started, Mr. Junhiro Noda, the owner of the Noda title sponsorship, had long ago expressed to the media his determination to "win a long-distance Group 1 race, even if it's just once."

On the occasion of the Emperor's Slam and Spring Run, there is a high probability that he will run into Noda Riki, who is regarded by the advisory group as "the best long-distance runner of our time".

But if spring doesn't come—

The next suitable match will probably have to wait at least three months.

certainly--

While it is a somewhat troublesome issue for the faction, it is too early to make a decision now.

There is another match that needs our attention.

On the day of the gate selection a few days ago, Rachel, the rider who went on stage as the representative of the camp, won the seventh gate position that last year was always young.

If the same tactic used in the last Dubai World Cup is employed—placing the lead forward—this defensive position would be somewhat disadvantageous.

This time, however, after discussion, the team decided to "start from the front or middle of the herd and conserve energy as much as possible in the first half of the race."

Although adjustments were made after arriving in Dubai earlier than planned, the concerns about weight did not easily disappear. Continuing from the initial discussion, this is a match that requires careful control.

"It's really nerve-wracking, the Dubai World Cup matches."

"President Kitano has done a good job. Please leave the rest to us."

The trainer, who was suddenly struck up a conversation, seemed a little surprised, but quickly raised his half-finished champagne drink in a gesture of greeting.

"However, there's not much left to do—"

"I see. In short, all we can do is try our best."

At this point, Master Huangshan sighed, sounding both helpless and nervous.

"Yes. If Sakuya is tired, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Even though that's what they say, President Kitano seems to have breathed a sigh of relief."

That's actually how it is.

As the start time of the competition drew closer, thoughts like "a perfect ending" and "achieving a consecutive DWC championship" gradually faded away.

All that's left is the feeling of finally, in the very end, a sense of complete relief.

"Although I've said this many times, please let me ramble on one last time."

If anything seems amiss, even if you've already entered the gates, you must withdraw from the competition.

"No problem, please leave it to me."

The trainer downed the champagne in one gulp, pursed his lips, and nodded.

Mejiro Sakuya, the last day of the horse race.

What seemed like a long three years suddenly felt as short as it flew by when the time came to end.

Until the evening when the Dubai World Cup officially began, there was no sense of urgency or pressure as the tournament approached.

Since this is the last match of his career, there are many things that need to be discussed with the organizers regarding the on-site retirement ceremony.

As a result of prior discussions with NAR and the stables, the official retirement ceremony in Japan will be held at Monbetsu Racecourse instead of Oi.

It is said that the council has complained a lot about this, and even Chairman Saito looked somewhat embarrassed after hearing the decision.

However, I still persisted in doing it.

So busy handling all the follow-up matters of Sakuya's retirement, a long time had passed before I came to my senses.

In the evening when the temperature had eased slightly.

The sun finally began to set in the west, and the color of the blue sky gradually deepened from the east.

This will probably be the first tropical night of the year.

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

@koou1594:

The final Dubai WC is about to begin!

Meima Retsuden: "Running from Miracles and Dreams" by Mejiro Saya

[Public release scheduled for 26:45 today]

——21st Century Master Horse Production Committee
"Sakuya Mejiro, the champion of last year's Dubai World Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic, will retire after this year's Dubai World Cup. Owner SACHI KITANO said that starting next year, it will begin its breeding mare career at the Mejiro Ranch in Japan."

——TDN
"[@hiro824kazu1:]"

This year, I successfully applied for a Lotto heart breeding program.

Although I felt the landmark graphic was also quite nice, I still chose Lotto Heart, which I personally really like.

—Yuichi Orite
(End of this chapter)