Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 163 Maroon Wind

In 48, the cold wind of the oil crisis swept through the depressed streets.

Until the hero who visited Ooi brought the broken heart back together.

On the streets where Jonathan the Seagull flew by, people, regardless of gender or age, shouted his name.

[Hesseck]

Fifty-four years later, the bronze statue of Hesek under the night sky of Dajing overlooks the crowds of people coming in from the main gate and the record he set that year.

In 47, the Seiun Sho (Chōun Prize) was held.

1 minute 39.2 seconds, seven lengths towards the national level.

Tonight, fifteen racehorses step onto the stage where heroes once soared.

On the reviewing ground, Kitano bowed to the riders.

"please."

Sasagawa, who mounted his horse with such expectations on his shoulders, pursed his lips tightly.

As Mejiro Atalanta's main battle rider, a certain certainty was growing in his heart.

"If it's with this horse—"

The last Hesek Memorial Championship victory was ten years ago.

At that time, it was as popular as it is today.

"Atalanta will never lose in this little reunion at the Great Well!"

Thinking of this, Atalanta, who was following the guide horse towards the gate, suddenly stopped.

"It's just the shadow of the railing."

Okizawa, the stable boy, personally stepped over the shadow to demonstrate.

Sasakawa also quickly lowered his head and soothed the chestnut-haired horse in a tone like coaxing a kitten.

After a while, Atalanta finally took a step forward.

On the other side, the horse trainer in the crowd was dressed in a suit and tie, but his legs were as soft as freshly cooked soba noodles.

"Should be fine."

The smile Majima forced out looked uglier than crying.

This is his first time participating in the Heseker Memorial as a trainer.

At the 1600-meter Heseker Memorial, the crowds erupted into cheers from the stands.

For the easily irritated Atalanta, this could very well turn out to be a very unfavorable outcome.

In addition, the number of horses running in this race is far more than the fifteen in the previous races.

However, Mejiro Atalanta's gate position is not conducive to competing for the lead of the twelfth place.

Although he gained popularity as the winner of the Golden Youth Race Walk, he still couldn't let go of his worries.

"Well, the momentum of the debut circle is quite good."

Next to the trainer, in stark contrast, is the horse owner with a nonchalant expression.

Although the so-called good momentum means that you will no longer be frightened to the point of being unable to move.

For Atalanta, being able to do this was considered smooth sailing.

"Regardless of the outcome of this match, Atalanta will not participate in the next All Japan 2-Year-Old Excellent Horses."

I had already made up my mind about the route.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the trainer and rider, there are signs of improvement in his temperament.

However, when it comes to the competition, it will still turn into a big rampage.

In this case, we can only try to leave more recovery time between the two games.

As for the expectations for this game, there are not too many thoughts after the gate position draw results come out.

A horse that is free from trouble is a famous horse——

With such expectations, Kitano turned his attention to the gate.

As the chief stepped on the ground crisply, Dajing's trombone sounded.

The starting tower slowly rose as the colorful lights of the L-WING flashed.

This year's live broadcast director is still Izumi Yusuke from the Ears and Eyes Company.

"Dajing Jingma, today's eleventh match."

Amid the sound of trombones mixed with cheers, Izumi Yusuke began to give a commentary according to the script he had prepared early in the morning.

"All Japan Two-Year-Old Excellent Horse Series, Future Excellent Horse 2,260, High Prize, 59th Heseker Memorial, South Kanto Grade 1 Race."

"There are fifteen two-year-old mixed horses running in the 1,600-meter race."

After some trouble on the road, Atalanta, contrary to her usual practice, successfully entered the gate.

This scene greatly boosted the confidence of many Megumi supporters. "Tart-chan has completed the most difficult step!"

"If you dare to do something like you did two years ago, I will never forgive you, Sasakawa!"

"As long as we can successfully see into the sky, Atalanta will not lose—"

Such a voice was heard from the stands.

Calming his breathing, the rider slowly raised his head and looked forward.

Through the gate, the route after exiting the gate emerges in my eyes.

After untying the leash, the stable boys trotted out to both sides of the track.

Four red lights came on and the gates popped open.

Along the same track as fifty-four years ago, fifteen figures of different colors took their steps one after another.

The cheers of over eight thousand people exploded in my ears, and the impatience that came through the reins was palpable.

Instead of restraining himself as usual, Sasakawa tried to turn this emotion into motivation.

He shifted his gaze slightly to ensure a clear road ahead, while distracting himself to avoid the approaching horses from all sides.

Amidst the flying mane, the rider resolutely pulled the reins.

The petite chestnut figure leaped to the front, leaving the noise and clatter of hooves behind.

On the day of Hesek, a maroon escape drama was staged.

Before the bend, Atalanta successfully cut into the route that Sasakawa had envisioned.

After being pressed tightly in the previous few games, the second and third stacks are close to the inner rail.

"The one leading is Mejiro Atalanta! She's entering the first corner at a relatively fast pace!"

With the encouragement of the commentator, the cheers became even louder.

Atalanta's brisk steps stirred up a wave of white waves on the sand, like a young deer leaping into a herd of horses.

Even in the tight turns of the small circuit, his bouncing steps never wavered.

Seeing it running far ahead of its opponents, the cheers at the scene became louder and louder.

From the start, just run forward, and keep running away -

Leave the light and shadow behind and focus on the future.

Advancing at a pace rarely seen in recent years, the maroon shadow was the first to reach the end of the bend.

He let the chilly autumn wind blow across his face, but he controlled the reins without any hesitation.

"Sasagawa and Mejiro Atalanta are no problem even at this pace!"

Slowly approaching the end of the opposite straight line, Atalanta, who was leading at a fast pace, showed no signs of fatigue.

"Maybe this kid can run longer distances."

Feeling the smoothness coming from beneath me, this thought flashed through my mind.

Turning into the fourth bend, in front of the opponents who were whipping their horses hard, Sasakawa did not move the reins at all.

Along with the starlight coming from the sea, the maroon wind rushed towards the straight road.

"Mejiro Atalanta! Twelve Atalanta's complete victory!"

The other fourteen running horses seemed to be having a second race after a gap of countless lengths.

Izumi Yusuke stood up suddenly, his voice suddenly becoming heated.

"One minute and thirty-nine seconds! The record that stood for fifty-four years has been broken!"

"Will this child become a hero one day?"

"Three wins in three battles, Mejiro Atalanta of the twelfth division!"

The roar of the tram entering the station was easily drowned out by the waves of applause and cheers.

------------

“本日在大井竞马场举行的海塞克纪念（优胜马：目白阿塔兰忒）创下的成绩（1分39秒）打破了由海塞克在1972年创下的记录（1分39秒2）。”

——Victorious Horse

"[@tck_keiba：

The Undefeated Maroon Gale

Mejiro Atalanta broke the 54-year-old record.

——Tokyo City Racing (TCK)

@Kitano: The Mejiro Atalanta's season has concluded and she will be returning to the Mejiro Ranch for a rest and grazing.

Thank you all for your continued support.]”

——Kitano Yuki
(End of this chapter)