Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 331 Koharuhiwa
The last week of March.

Whether you're a horse owner or a breeder, March is always filled with an overwhelming and packed schedule.

They have to handle the ranch's year-end affairs, prepare projects for the horse owners at the local and central levels, and complete tax declarations.

In addition, the dazzling spectacle of the foal being stranded in Ireland and the transportation of the foal also require considerable time to prepare.

Looking back now, those few days in Dubai were actually a rare moment of leisure in March.

"It's so hot! I'm covered in sweat after finishing the work!"

He took off his coat and casually tossed it into a corner of the tatami mat, then sat down nonchalantly at the low table.

"After all, today is a beautiful spring day—here, this is Zep's share."

Kikuchi, who seemed to be in a good mood, put down the tray she was carrying and placed one of the small bowls in front of the German.

"Thanks. Also, what is Koharuhi-yori?"

While asking with some curiosity, Zep poured the raw egg from the small bowl into the rice, drizzled some soy sauce on it, and then slowly mixed it with chopsticks.

During particularly busy times, ranches often serve up breakfasts like these, catering to working professionals.

—Although it's hard to say whether regular cooking is much better than rice with raw egg.

"It feels like spring, doesn't it?"

Rachel Ho picked up the conversation, speaking with some uncertainty.

"That's about it, but spring days are usually winter weather."

"That's the old woman's summer—"

After hearing Kikuchi's explanation, Zep finally understood with an "Oh, I see" look on his face.

"I'm gonna start now--"

After saying this, as usual, Rachel Ho finally picked up her chopsticks.

"Yesterday, the notice board in the town said there were cases of bear sightings in the vicinity."

"After all, it's gotten to this point, but we've made thorough preparations this year."

It's best not to make any promises you can't keep.

The members ate breakfast a little later than usual while chatting about trivial matters.

"Speaking of which, will Eri-chan be shipped directly to Miura, Boss?"

"That's right, after all, Yoshida-sensei also has a very high opinion of the training program."

He nodded and then began to speak—

"If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the transport to Honshu Island should begin in early July, followed by a week of rest and adjustment in Hokkaido after the gate test is completed, and the show should start in Sapporo at the end of the month."

Although there has been considerable improvement compared to the beginning, Meguro Hosuke's hindquarters muscles are still somewhat lacking.

After repeated discussions with the trainers, it was decided to debut at the Sapporo Racecourse, a flat track.

Generally speaking, Sapporo Hiroshiba, which focuses on strength, might find it a bit challenging for two-year-old horses.

However, Mejiro Takasuke's unique running style allows him to exert his strength relatively easily in most terrain conditions, and he should be able to run well even in Sapporo, where the grass is relatively heavy.

Although I still can't quite handle the Sakamichi.

"Debut in Sapporo? If I remember correctly, there should only be two races for two-year-old horses in Sapporo in July."

Ravid, who was mixing raw eggs, frowned slightly and spoke.

"I'm thinking of my debut battle being the one on the first day."

On July 29th, the Sapporo Grass 1200m Opening Race, which had been won by two years, took place.

"Isn't that a match that wasn't won—"

Zep, who was sprinkling pepper on his bibimbap, turned around in surprise.

However, after explaining that they wanted the child to start with a shorter distance, the staff, including the hoof trimmer, quickly regained their composure. "So, the adjustment will probably be done without going through the outer stable, back to the pasture?"

After asking that question, the German put a big mouthful of bibimbap into his mouth.

In recent years, club horses have mostly adopted a relatively mature approach: "Hokkaido breeding - Honshu Island transportation - breeding ranch adjustment - gate trials - external stable readjustment - debut".

Even in the case of individual horse owners, it is not as common as before for horses to debut directly after passing the gate test.

"should--"

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

The violent coughing interrupted what he was about to say.

With tears welling up in his eyes, Zep hurriedly grabbed a cup and gulped down barley tea.

"You put too much pepper in."

As he said this, he picked up the teapot beside him and poured another cup of barley tea into the German's cup.

"It's so spicy! It's so hot!"

After a flurry of activity, we finally got back to the original topic.

"If the plan goes smoothly, we should be able to make adjustments closer to the competition venue."

The members seemed somewhat surprised to hear this answer.

So, after swallowing the bibimbap in his mouth, he began to explain—

I learned by chance during a casual chat with Professor Yoshida yesterday that Professor Yahagi, who has already retired, owns a tiny ranch between Sapporo and Hakodate, which is used as a transit point for transportation between Honshu and Hokkaido.

I tried asking Yoshida to inquire about the possibility of renting a stable.

"In this way, although it is a shipment to Hokkaido after the gate test, the leeway for adjustment has actually increased."

Ravid put down his chopsticks, and his furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"It's still too early to say whether we'll be able to borrow it successfully. However, this approach is definitely worth considering."

Before he could finish speaking, the members quickly wore a familiar expression that said, "So it's going to start again, huh?"

"Outer stables are still too far off right now."

He quickly offered this explanation.

To be honest, we haven't considered building an outer stable at this stage.

For the ranch, the main goals for at least the next two years are land expansion and the adoption of new employees.

but--

"If it's just a tiny ranch with simple facilities like a stable and a treadmill, it shouldn't cost much."

He swallowed hard, his tone unconsciously becoming somewhat guilty.

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

"The fundraising for the 'Let's all hold a retirement celebration for her' project has ended. Thank you so much to all the horse racing fans who submitted their entries."

Our company will sew the received message pieces into a horse coat and deliver it to the Kabukichi Monbetsu Racecourse on the day of Meguro Sakuya's retirement ceremony.

Finally, thank you again to all the horse racing fans who participated.

——『Youjun』-《Mejiro in the New Era》Column

"As I said on the day of the race, Megumi Sakuya started the race in a position she had never been in before, taking advantage of the route and avoiding the direct confrontation with other popular horses from the very beginning."

The layout of Huangshan T and Jin Meiqi J is very ingenious.

A victory dominated by both skill and intellect!!!

—East Sport horse racing commentator ■■■■

(End of this chapter)