Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 369 A Race Walk Where You Do Your Best

Around 6:30 pm.

Feel the swaying of the rental car while watching the unfamiliar scenery rushing past the window.

The sky above gradually changed from dark red to navy blue, and although the surrounding scenery was shrouded in shadow, the lights from the buildings illuminated the road.

The clock of my thoughts slowly ticked back to that afternoon not long ago.

After removing the saddle in the inspection area, white sweat kept pouring down my back and abdomen.

Today, Noah was unusually calm and didn't throw a tantrum during the post-match shower.

"This child has already worked so hard. If possible, please don't put any more burden on him."

At that time, he quickly agreed to the request made by the warrior rider.

The post-race oral ceremony was kept as simple as possible; after a quick group photo, the stable boy was asked to take Noah back to the stable.

However, it still left behind some interesting memories—

When he went on stage to receive the trophy, Uchida instinctively walked towards the riders' side, and even Takeshi and the surrounding staff did not notice anything amiss.

In the end, it was Mr. Yokoyama, who was in charge of holding up the placards, who pointed this out and made fun of Mr. Uchida for a while.

"That child is really hardworking!"

He finally snapped out of his daze when the trainer next to him said that.

"It was an attack that affected the entire body and spirit."

Subconsciously, he let out a sigh.

"However, it's great that we won."

"Thanks to you, I also won the grand prize for the first round of the game on the central platform."

"That's my side."

As he spoke, the trainer turned to the side and bowed slightly in the cramped carriage.

"This is the first big reward since the stables opened, and I will never forget it, no matter how many years later."

Looking at the familiar expression on Uchida's face, I couldn't help but recall many of my experiences as a horse owner.

"Please continue to rely on you in the future."

He also turned slightly to the side and bowed in response.

The post-match celebration banquet was held at a stone plate barbecue restaurant called "Touching Meat and Rice," recommended by Mr. Sugiyama.

When we arrived at the parking lot near the barbecue restaurant in the rental car, the sky was already completely dyed madder red.

As September approaches, the days will gradually become shorter.

He took out his phone and walked towards the store while contacting his associates.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you can smell the unique aroma of roasted meat.

"Hey~ Sachi-kun. Over here, over here—"

Mr. Yokoyama waved from his seat by the window, and Takeshi, who was next to him, put down his phone, stood up, and greeted him.

After confirming the menu, the members of the faction took a group photo with their arms around each other, holding up the beer that was served first.

"By the way, why didn't we see any representatives from the ranch today?"

Mr. Yokoyama put down his glass and gave him a curious look.

"Hmm, Mr. Honcho from the ranch side has been a bit unavailable lately."

In fact, not only recently, but since last year, Gerbera Park Stud has been facing heavy economic pressure and is on the verge of dissolution.

Unlike most Hidaka ranches, which breed no more than ten mares and whose core members are mainly family members, ranches in Urakawa Town often face greater resistance in terms of transformation and adjustment of business strategies.

However, this is not something that is suitable for open discussion.

Not talking about it is the best solution when it involves discussions about the business of horse breeders in the same industry.

"Speaking of which, what do President Kitano and Takeshi think about Noah's second departure from the competition?" Uchida asked, changing the subject as he took a sizzling plate of grilled meat from the waiter and presented it to everyone.

"I'd also like to hear Yokoyama Takeshi's opinion."

Because Mr. Yokoyama was present, the way we addressed each other was changed on the spot.

"It's a very competitive horse with excellent handling. Even in its first race, it delivered a very good performance."

After giving this answer, Wu Shi frowned again.

"However, my hindquarters still have some difficulty in mobilizing power, and this feeling was even more pronounced on the slope."

According to the rider, the original plan was to start urging the rider on from the moment they entered the straight section, but after realizing that Noah was still not quite able to handle the slope, they postponed the urging until the last 200 meters.

Sprint Championships Don't Leave—

After a brief discussion, the camp quickly made this decision.

Despite having a weight advantage, considering Noah's performance in this race and his status as a three-year-old, there is little hope of winning the Sprint Stakes at the Ancient Horse Battleground.

Moreover, the starting track for the sprint marathon is still the steep Zhongshan.

"The two consecutive matches in the Summer Split have been quite tough, so how about letting him rest in the Fall?"

This suggestion was made by the horse owner.

It helps restore the physical strength depleted since spring through rigorous training and high-intensity competitions, while also strengthening and improving the still-weak hindquarter muscles.

The trainer and rider quickly agreed to the proposal.

If it were a club horse, this stage would probably mean a long-term grazing arrangement, but Coach Uchida said that staying in the stable to rest and recuperate would be perfectly fine.

So the camp discussed and decided to give Noah a "belated summer vacation" in the fall and let him run at most one more race during the year.

Regarding the anticipated goals for this trip—

There aren't actually many events to choose from.

Excluding the Sprint Stakes and the Swan Stakes, there are only two turf sprint races left suitable for travel this year.

In late November, the G3 team will once again compete in the Kyoto-Hanaka Cup on the 1200-meter grass field in Kyoto.
And in late December, the Hanshin Cup will be awarded again on the 1400-meter grass court at G2 in Hanshin.

"Although the level of the opponent's runner may be relatively weaker, the runner will probably have to carry a top weight of 60 kilograms when running in the Keihan Cup."

After swiping the screen a few times on his phone, the trainer frowned slightly and said...

"Moreover, the conditions of the slopes in Kyoto are more complex, and they require more endurance and strength than the Hanshin track."

—Although both of these racetracks in Kansai are complex track types that require both endurance and strength.

"Then, let's set the Hanshin Cup as our goal for the rest of the year and start making adjustments."

After abandoning the unrealistic idea of ​​expeditions overseas, they quickly made this decision.

After becoming the owner of the central horse, the situation actually became more severe.

But for myself, what I need to do, and what I have been doing all along, is to do my best.

That's it.

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"[@Mejiro_JP:]"

Mejiro Noah, Chukyo 7R, wins!

From the very beginning, they found their own rhythm and took a very strong lead!
Although the straightaway was a bit dangerous, they still won by half a horse's length!

Takeshi Yokoyama, a very beautiful rider!

You've worked hard today too, Noah!

——Mejiro Ranch

(End of this chapter)