Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 312 Eating Mud and Sand
As he faced the mud and sand, Northern Black Horse understood why California Shining hadn't rushed to the inner path from the start.

The opponent is extremely skilled in muddy terrain, and knew that following behind would mean eating mud and sand.

If your gate is positioned closer to the inner channel, it's easier to cut into the inner channel. If you follow too closely from the beginning, you're more likely to get stuck in the mud and sand.

That's why the other side just watched from the sidelines, and then, relying on its superior strength on the muddy ground, it overtook the front in one go on the bend.

In this way, the one who eats mud and sand... becomes oneself!
Uh, is this... a tactic unique to muddy terrain...?

To ascertain California Shining's movements, Northern Black Horse gritted his teeth, narrowed his mouth and breaths, and strained to look ahead.

However, at that moment, a sense of déjà vu gradually emerged in his heart.

Meanwhile, throughout the training field, a commentator brought in temporarily broadcast the live event over the loudspeaker:

"A very beautiful cornering offside, California Shining driver made a very beautiful cornering offside."

"At the moment of transition from the first turn to the second turn, California Dazzling seized the opportunity and overtook the Northern Black Horse driver in one go, and is now in first place."

"Behind a horse is a northern black steed."

"Three or so horses behind us is the main force. Currently, the entire race team is divided into two parts: one is called California Shining and Northern Black Horse, and the other is called the female racehorses that are chasing."

"However, the northern black horse looks like she's struggling. She's not a mud racer, and it seems like the new track is tough on her."

"Whether she can perform even better and surpass California Shining, let's wait and see!"

Accompanied by fairly professional commentary, more and more female racehorses, trainers, and hotel guests gathered around, cheering, applauding, and whistling even louder.

Clinging tightly to the railing, eyes wide and bulging as if jumping up and down, she shouted:

"Wait, wait a minute! This is a foul, isn't it? How can there be so much mud and sand? This field... was it never even properly prepared?!"

After shouting for a while, she realized that the surrounding audience was watching the race on the track with excitement. Occasionally, a few people would look over, but they all looked puzzled. Only then did she realize that she had been shouting in Japanese.

She quickly looked at Yasui Makoto, her eyes wide with worry, tension, and dissatisfaction, and said:
"Trainer, you should also speak up for them!"

Say? What should I say? This... is just the normal situation in overseas mud track races... Yasui touched his nose and gave a helpless bitter smile.

He knew what Alimee was thinking; the mud and sand kicked up by the mud races here were indeed much more exaggerated than those in Japan.

In Japan, both grass and dirt tracks are harder than in other regions, and they are usually compacted with rollers and other equipment during maintenance.

This means that when the female racehorses run on them, they not only go faster, but also kick up relatively less grass, mud, and sand.

The racecourses in Europe, America, Dubai, and other places are different. The venues here are very close to the natural environment, very soft, and it is normal for mud and sand to fly everywhere when running.

Racehorse girls are not horses; the tallest are only about two meters tall, but their leg strength is just as strong as that of racehorses.

This means that once they start running, the mud and sand they kick up only reach the horse's chest, but can completely cover the female horse.

From the stands, the distance might make it difficult to see clearly, but once you get close like this, you'll find that if you're running at the back, you're bound to get covered in mud and sand from the front.

In official races, it's even more exaggerated. No matter how glamorous the female racehorse is when she first appears on the track, she will inevitably be covered in dirt and grime after a race, looking as if she has rolled in the mud.

Therefore, in many overseas races, especially those in the United States where the terrain is mostly muddy, the champion has to take a shower and change clothes after finishing a race before they can go to receive their award looking their best.

However, this situation is not inexplicable in the short term, but even if it is explained, Almond-eyed would probably still be in a foul mood.

Staring at the Northern Black Horse munching on mud and sand on the track, Yasui Makoto felt a pang of heartache and quickly thought:
"No problem, I'll go complain to the hotel later."

"However, I feel that Xiao Bei... has not been affected by this situation."

"See for yourself if you don't believe me." Hearing Yasui Makoto say that he was going to file a complaint, Apricot's mood immediately improved.

Hearing the following words, she paused for a moment, then quickly looked towards the track.

At this point, Yasui Makoto continued, "Her breathing has indeed become much shorter, almost the same as when she's sprinting normally, which must be taking a toll on her stamina."

"But the key point is that her breathing is not yet disordered."

"As for arm swing, stride frequency, and stride length, she didn't lose her rhythm despite the unique conditions of the muddy ground." He emphasized "the muddy ground" and continued:
"So, your senior Xiao Bei's competition is still ongoing."

"She hasn't given up yet, she... is still trying."

As Yasui Makoto explained, Almond-eyed's eyes widened again.

This time, however, her eyes shone not with resentment or worry, but with admiration and delight.

They had been training together for quite some time, and during each training session, she couldn't help but want to compete with Northern Black Horse, and she had even said it to herself.

My senior colleague is a very easygoing person. He always agrees cheerfully and readily, and then uses his strong abilities and experience to defeat me completely.

The senior is indeed very amazing, but... but when I grow up, debut, and go through many competitions, I will be just as amazing as the senior.

No, he's even more amazing than his predecessor.

Almond has thought about this many times.

However, this impromptu practice match, or rather, the Northern Black Steed she saw at this moment, made her realize that perhaps there were some things about this senior that she... could never surpass.

In Xingmu's eyes, the Northern Black Steed looked extremely disheveled at this moment.

Fine mud and sand covered the familiar face, sweat mixed with mud and sand slid down the cheeks, and the hair was also stuck together with mud and sand, sticking messily to the forehead.

His red and white tracksuit was so worn that its original color was almost unrecognizable. It was covered in mottled mud spots, looking like it had been picked up from a garbage dump.

However, amidst this disarray, those crimson eyes shone brightly, revealing a resolute determination that was immediately apparent.

Each step he took was incredibly steady and powerful, without a single moment of hesitation.

At this moment, the senior no longer looks like a racehorse girl, but a brave warrior who is overcoming all obstacles.

Yes, a brave... warrior. Almond-shaped eyes suddenly realized.

That's how my senior is...

No matter what she encounters, no matter what kind of competition it is, she will never give up.

I am competitive, many people say so, and I think so too.

But the senior... is truly competitive.

She simply kept quiet, and then, one by one, she dealt with and eliminated each and every difficult opponent, and finally... won everything.

At this thought, Xingmu couldn't help but grab the railing again, jumping up and down.

"Go for it... Go for it, Xiao Bei senior! Charge!"

She yelled at the top of her lungs as she headed toward the track.

(End of this chapter)