Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 72 Crossroads of Destiny

The time is 7:30 in the evening.

The sidewalk in front of the entrance was filled with people, and it seemed as if there was no end to it.

The section of road extending from Daiichi Keihin-dori to Daishi-dori was also completely congested.

The estimated number of people attending is between 25,000 and 27,000.

This is close to the Kawasaki Racecourse's maximum capacity of 30,000 people.

On the reviewing ground, staff members were busy putting elk costumes on the guided horses.

The induction horse riders are also dressed as Santa Claus.

Although the actual holiday is still at least a week away, the Christmas atmosphere is already becoming stronger.

Holding the horse racing paper under his arm, Kitano walked towards the exit of the preparation room.

The breath turned into a wisp of white smoke, which touched the cold face and caused slight pain.

"You've chosen a lucky direction, Kitano-kun!"

A magnetic low voice came to my ears.

"Good evening, Dr. Kobayashi."

He turned around and nodded slightly to greet the owner of the voice.

Architect, industrialist, shaman, and holder of the name "Kobayashi".

The two got to know each other not long ago through Xishan's introduction.

Today, Dr. Kobayashi also attended the All Japan 2-Year-Old Horse Competition as a horse owner.

"I'm very optimistic about Mejiro Sakuya, and I'm not joking or being mysterious."

Dr. Kobayashi had his signature smile on his face.

"Look, doesn't this loose field become a situation that requires strength?"

After saying that, Dr. Kobayashi put his arm around Kitano's shoulders and pointed towards the arena.

Although from this position, you can hardly see anything.

"Then thank you very much for your kind words."

Kitano was speechless for a moment, with a subtle expression on his face.

The direction of the game will naturally not be that simple.

In addition to the conditions of the field, the gate position, the strength of the horse and rider themselves, on-the-spot performance and even other horse racing factors all have an impact on the final result.

Kitano, who is about to enter his second year as a horse owner, has also begun to have such thoughts.

However, my tense mood since morning finally relaxed a little.

Afterwards, the two horse owners took a photo together.

Kitano stood straight, looking at the camera with a serious expression.

In contrast, Dr. Kobayashi, who was actually born in the Showa era, playfully stuck out his tongue and pointed at Kitano, making the "Ichiban" gesture.

The riders walked out of the preparation room one after another.

Ochiai, who had already fastened his helmet in the preparation room, walked towards Kitano.

"Come on, Genta."

Kitano patted the rider's thin shoulder.

There came the mixed sounds of footsteps and horse hooves.

My heartbeat began to quicken involuntarily.

"Please leave it to me."

Ochiai's answer was calm, without any excessive emotion.

After saying this, he pursed his lips resolutely.

When he turned around, the rider in white and green clothes had a razor-sharp look on his face.

Facing the direction of the reviewing ground, he took a step forward.

The slightly dazzling light made him squint subconsciously, but he still easily found his partner in the crowd.

Climbing onto the horse's back, the ups and downs in my heart were calmer than I had imagined.

The sense of reality of the race itself is gradually disappearing with the ups and downs of the horse's back.

Before the game, Master Tanaka said, "Maybe we can win."

The reason is the weight. Meguro Sakuya carries a marten weight of 55KG, while the other eleven horses, including Mr. Caesar, carry stallions weights of 56KG.

This 1kg difference in weight is enough to change the direction of the game.

Of course, this is only based on the premise that there is not much difference in strength.

In this regard, Ochiai has far more confidence than anyone else in the camp.

It's not about winning, but about not being able to lose.

This dreamlike goal flashed through my mind one day not long ago, and it still echoes in my mind now as the competition is about to begin.

"Come on, Miss."

As he spoke, Ochiai gently patted Mejiro Sakuya's neck.

The black braids trembled, giving off a delicate silky texture under the night sky.

Mejiro Sakuya moved her head slightly as she walked, as if nodding.

After the parade, the three-headed horse dressed as an elk came to the front of the team.

Then, start heading towards the stadium.

"The Road To Victory"——

The band played the Kawasaki Jusho entrance song.

Accompanied by the passionate symphony, the host began to introduce the situation of the runaway horse.

"Kawasaki's eleventh race, the runaway horse's entry."

"The 76th All-Japan Two-Year-Old Horse Race, a Grade 1 race, 1,600 meters, with twelve two-year-old horses running."

"In the previous competition, the visitor from Miho, Kobayashi Eidan, who had won three out of four matches and was in excellent form, weighed 468 kilograms, with a weight gain of negative eight. The rider, Iwata Nozomi, was on the saddle, with a weight of 56 kilograms."

Dr. Kobayashi let out a slightly smug laugh at the Kawasaki runaway horse owner's room, which was said to be as luxurious as the central one.

"What do you think, Kitano? We have a good seat here."

"In that case, our gate position seems to be pretty good too."

Kitano smiled and shook his head, turned around, placed the disposable paper cup under the beverage machine, and pressed the button for fresh water.

There was no response.

Tried the American coffee button again.

This time it worked.

Dark brown liquid flowed out from the water inlet, and under the light, a slightly tense face was reflected in the cup.

He picked up the coffee and pursed his lips subconsciously.

When I returned to the sofa, I rubbed my stiff face.

Then, he kept an upright posture and looked at the stadium outside the window.

At this point, the introduction to the running horse has reached the second half.

"Sixth Division, arriving with a completely victorious attitude, the goal is to conquer the world."

"Mr. Caesar, four hundred and seventy-eight kilograms, weight gain or loss of four, rider Sakai Rusei on the saddle, weight of fifty-six kilograms."

Subconsciously, I turned my head to look at the track.

Under the light, the black horse's body shone like silk.

A very beautiful racehorse indeed.

Although judging strength based on appearance is a bit arbitrary, it has a subtle effect when applied to horse racing.

Generally speaking, horses with smooth lines tend not to run too badly.

"Whether it's grass or mud, whether it's a good field or a heavy field, the footsteps of the hooves are the answer."

"Azure Beacon, five hundred and three kilograms, weight gain and loss of three, Miura Imperial Rider on the saddle, carrying a weight of fifty-six kilograms."

He picked up the paper cup and took a sip, then Kitano raised his head again.

coming.

A familiar outline became clear in front of my sight.

"A new chapter of history is right before our feet. Let's begin with this unquestionable last step, from Hokkaido."

"Mejiro Sakuya, 496 kg, weight gain/loss 6, Ochiai Genta rider on saddle, carrying 55 kg."

Thunderous cheers rang out from the stands.

(End of this chapter)