Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 92: First Day in Saudi Arabia

At 2 a.m. local time on February 2, the horse carriage finally arrived at the international stables near the King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

The camp will spend nine nights here until moving to the hospitality stables on the 11th.

After getting off the carriage, Mejiro Sakuya yawned frequently, and her head almost touched the ground like a Chocobo that had lost its energy.

"It looks like it's in very bad shape."

The barren mountain has a sad face.

"No, there's nothing unusual about the muscles of the front and back limbs or their gait."

After walking around to the side of the deer-haired horse and observing it carefully for a while, Kitano shook his head and said.

"Maybe it's just a simple lack of sleep."

Even so, he walked towards the veterinary station in the stable.

After a brief negotiation, the local veterinarian readily agreed to borrow the equipment.

By the time Kitano walked towards the stable with the medical box, Mejiro Sakuya had already entered the stable.

Saudi Arabia's international stables are far more luxurious than Menbie and Dajing.

The central air-conditioning system accurately delivers wind to each independent stable through air supply ducts.

In addition, large movable fences are installed on the front and back sides of the stable to ensure sufficient air circulation. Fans are also installed on the opposite wall to enhance ventilation, and the lighting is also a soft yellow that makes the horses relax.

A smart tablet is also installed in front of the stable for planning training arrangements and checking the status of the stable. It is said that the design was inspired by the French Jockey Club system.

Huangshan was filling in the entry information on the tablet according to the form in his hand.

After entering the stable, Mejiro Sakuya quickly pressed herself against the wall and squinted her eyes.

"Sakuya, eat something before you go to sleep."

At this time, Ogawa Sheng walked in quietly carrying the feed prepared by the stable.

Mejiro Sakuya, who was originally drowsy, pricked up her ears instantly.

With eyes wide open, the deer-haired horse approached Xu Hesheng in small steps.

Then, he snorted hard and made a "huffing" sound.

Even before the feed was completely poured into the trough, Mejiro Sakuya's eager lips had already reached in.

"Looks like you're really hungry—"

Kitano and Huangshan breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

The deer-hair horse, which had been listless just now, quickly returned to its familiar state with the help of food.

"Tomorrow, you should rest for a while longer."

Huangshan raised his head and tapped the tablet, starting to plan his training plan during his stay at the international stable.

He planned to let Mejiro Sakuya recover to a certain condition before starting training.

This idea was quickly supported by Kitano, the horse owner.

"Let's put aside the overly intense stuff for now. This week, how about setting up one swim session and two long rein walks, and then inserting a certain number of wildebeest walks in between?"

After drawing up a plan for this week based on the training program provided by the stable, Huangshan looked up and asked Kitano for his opinion.

Kitano then turned his head and looked at Ogawa Kanna eagerly.

"If the goal is to improve my condition, then this training schedule is fine, but what about the pre-match field drills?"

The girl asked with a slight frown.

"If the situation is good, we will arrange a field drill this Sunday. If the adjustment effect is not ideal—"

“We’ll just have to wait until next week.”

Huang Shan began to check the planned training venue. After a pause, he continued, "But no matter what, I will go to the competition venue this week to check it out in person, and the same goes for the Wada riders."

The trainer's words were filled with determination.

"Scouting on off-season days?"

Ogawa Kana asked, crossing her arms.

"We'll probably have one or two more reconnaissance missions next week, but whether or not to have Sakuya conduct field exercises will only be decided when the time comes."

After completing the venue reservation, Huangshan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“I see—but without warm-up matches, we can only focus on training as much as possible.” After a brief moment of consideration, Kanna Ogawa sighed and said.

The last time Mejiro Sakuya went out for a competition was in mid-December of last year.

It has been more than two months since I last competed again, and it is hard to say whether my condition can be adjusted to a level sufficient to cope with the competition during this period.

"Rather, the Saudi derby itself is a warm-up match."

Huangshan stood on tiptoe and looked inside the stable with some concern, and there was obvious helplessness on his face.

Warming up with a world-class G3 event—

For the local camp, such an arrangement is a bit too luxurious.

"But, that's exactly what happened."

Ogawa Kana also nodded in agreement.

Kitano listened to the discussion between the two in confusion.

It seems that a consensus has been reached.

"There's nothing wrong with what I'm saying."

When the two looked at him, Kitano spoke quickly.

"but--"

He pointed at Mejiro Sakuya who was chewing hay slowly in the stable.

"Although there's air conditioning in the stable, shouldn't we pay a little attention to the fur?"

Considering that the conditions in the Middle East are likely to be hotter than in Japan, Masaru Ogawa had just trimmed Mejiro Sakuya's winter coat before entering the Oi Racecourse for quarantine.

But now it seems that the temperature in Saudi Arabia is much hotter than expected.

Even in the air-conditioned stable corridor, the stuffiness in the air can be clearly felt.

"Indeed."

After a moment of consideration, Huangshan replied.

Because it is held earlier than in previous years, they expect that the weather on this year's Saudi Cup match day may be cooler.

However, judging from the current situation, the bad weather on the day of the competition will most likely continue as it has been for the past few years.

"Then I'll try to shave the winter fur shorter before training begins!"

Xu Hesheng came out of the stable and shook the basket in his hand.

"sorry to bother you."

Huangshan nodded slightly and asked in a low voice.

Afterwards, Kitano used tools borrowed from the veterinary station to test Mejiro Sakuya's hoof temperature and rectal temperature.

They are all within the normal range.

Although I sweated a little due to the hot local weather when I just got off the plane, I didn't seem to be affected too much by the change in environment.

After walking out of the stable, Ogawa Kana, who was waiting at the door, took out a piece of manuscript paper from the stack of manuscript paper in her arms and slapped it into his hand.

"This is the form I just requested from the event organizer. Is there anything missing or wrong with the information on it?"

While checking the information, Kitano asked, "Is this the form sent by the tournament organizer?"

"It's used to make the camp's arena pass."

The girl answered briefly, then covered her mouth and yawned.

"Asheng, take the rider Wada and the hoof trimmer Joseph back with you as well."

After saying that, Ogawa Kanna turned around and gave instructions to Ogawa Katsu.

"Understood!"

Xuhe Sheng nodded and put the two forms into his bag.

When I walked out of the stable, the night sky above my head had unconsciously changed color.

The time is five o'clock in the morning.

　Thanks to Destiny Lingfeng for the 500 starting coins reward,
　　Thank you for your support

　　Ciallo～(∠ω<)⌒★
　　
　
(End of this chapter)