Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 41: Pre-match Stroll

After swiping away the vibrating alarm on his phone, Ochiai struggled to sit up from the bed.

The time was 2:30 in the morning.

Although it was still early, it was already time for drill.

Normally, this kind of thing is usually handled by the training assistant.

The game we will be playing tomorrow is not an important one.

However, he still took the initiative to apply to his master horse trainer, Junji Tanaka, to participate in the training.

"Hopefully I can get to know that kid a little better."

This is the reason he gave.

Although he is the main rider, he has ridden Mudaiba in both of the races he has participated in so far.

However, his understanding of Medaima is far from what a main battle rider should have.

Judging from their performance in the game, most of the time it was Mudai Hakuma who actively cooperated.

In fact, there were more than one mistakes caused by lack of tacit understanding.

Mr. Kitano, the horse owner, placed his [trust] in him, and Medaima gave his [all].

So, what about myself as a rider?
At the very least, he should act like a main battle rider.

"Go ahead if you want to, but don't oversleep the next day."

Tanaka has always been tolerant towards this disciple.

His mind was still in a mess, and Ochiai finished washing up almost instinctively.

I casually put on my jockey suit and plunged into the night.

In front of the rows of stables, the training assistants who were about to take charge of the drill greeted each other weakly.

Most of the racehorses under them were also in a somewhat lethargic state.

Ochiai easily found Kobayashi, the stable attendant of Tanaka Stable, among the crowd.

“Although he was a little noisy when he first left the stable, he quickly got into the groove, as if he knew he was going to training.”

Kobayashi, the stable attendant, patted the horse's head and said.

I looked over there.

As expected, Medo Hirama put on a serious look that said, "I'm going to get serious now."

As for whether the horse has grown physically since the last race.

As a rider, at least he couldn't tell this with his naked eyes.

The so-called reed-haired horse is such an elusive creature in every sense of the word.

Shaking his head, Medou Hakuma looked at Ochiai with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Can this guy do it?”

Ochiai felt that there was such temptation in its eyes.

He is a very smart and difficult racehorse.

If you retreat or even show cowardice at this time, you will most likely be looked down upon by this guy.

At that time, don't expect Mudai Baima to cooperate well in training.

He climbed onto his horse without changing his expression.

As soon as I sat on the horse, I felt the excitement coming from the white horse below me.

Just as stable attendant Kobayashi said, it has gotten into its pre-race state very well.

"Then, I'll leave it to you."

After loosening the buckle of the traction rope, Kobayashi, the stable attendant, waved to the man and the horse.

"give it to me."

Ochiai replied.

What's coming up is a 15-minute pace to prepare for tomorrow's race, with one or two 30-second bursts of light acceleration interspersed depending on the situation.

Pacing can maintain the activity of the horse's muscles, promote blood circulation, and avoid excessive accumulation of fatigue, which in turn affects the horse's performance in the competition.

If the horse is undertrained, the trainer may arrange short quick exercises to wake it up as quickly as possible.

However, for Meda Hirame, there is no such concern.

In its current state, it can even handle high-reward level competitions without any problem.

Of course, strength is another matter.

"let us start."

Ochiai gave orders.

The white horse lowered its head slightly and let out a breath. Then, it took a step.

Ochiai concentrated his attention, carefully feeling every bump under him.

For riders, pacing is the perfect opportunity to increase their bonding with their horses.

During high-intensity training or competition, racehorses are more likely to resist their riders.

However, unlike other racehorses in the stable, the time he can spend with Medaima outside of racing is quite limited.

He particularly values ​​this opportunity.

Put aside all distractions and focus on the feel of the horse's back.

Indeed, there has been growth.

Although it was extremely subtle, Ochiai, who was sitting on horseback, felt the change.

Medahiro's muscles are becoming stronger.

Mentally, he seemed to have become more alert.

As for his temperament, he actually gives people the impression of being closer to the image of a young master in a traditional wealthy family than a child of around five or six years old.

Although he occasionally loses his temper, he has his own principles when it comes to training and competition.

We will also cooperate as much as possible with recognized riders.

It's not the kind of trouble that just causes headaches.

The first lap of pacing was over quickly.

Pulling out the whip, Ochiai began to check how well Meteoruma followed through on various instructions.

Whether accelerating, decelerating or turning, it was all done very well.

His condition is now fully capable of participating in the competition.

So, when passing by the stands, he pulled the reins.

He let out a somewhat unsatisfied snort, but Mu Tianma still stopped.

"Master, I think accelerated training is unnecessary."

He shouted to Tanaka in the stands.

"There's absolutely no problem with the condition!"

After being sure of this, he did not want to waste Mudai Baima's physical strength through unnecessary training before the game.

"Is it?"

Tanaka narrowed his eyes and looked down at the figure of the reed-haired horse in front of him.

In the darkness of the night, only a gray outline could be vaguely seen.

His steps seem very steady and he seems to be running with ease.

However, the specific condition of the horse's body is still somewhat uncertain.

However, he is not the type who is inflexible.

On the contrary, we will actively listen to the opinions of relevant parties such as riders, stable staff, and horse owners.

Although he was vaguely labeled as "lacking principles", Tanaka had no intention of trying to change.

"Then let's do it!"

He agreed to Ochiai's suggestion, stood up and made an "OK" gesture towards the track.

So, Ochiai got off the horse, held the reins and started a cool-down walk early.

At the same time, I began to form ideas about riding tomorrow in my mind.

Medaima's race is the fifth two-year-old special for horses from Shinkansen Town, and the distance is 1,500 meters, which is an unknown range.

Among the ten horses running, the one assigned to the sixth position was a slightly outside gate.

"At the beginning, I really had to try my best to move closer to the inside."

"But in this case, at least we can't be at a big disadvantage when exiting the gate."

Thinking of this, he raised his head and glanced at Muten Baima.

The reed-haired horse was breathing heavily and looking at the herd of horses that were still in training with great vigilance.

"It should be fine."

Ochiai thought so as he stroked the slightly wet horse's back.

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(End of this chapter)