Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 191 The Opening of a Moonlit Night
The Spring Festival of World Horse Racing——

Dubai World Cup.

The reviewing ground was already noisy under the cover of night.

Fifteen minutes before the race officially started, ten running horses stepped onto the track of the reviewing ground.

In the oval green space in the middle, the camps were having their final meeting before the game.

There were no overly complicated instructions. Huang Shan simply said in his usual tone, "Just follow your plan."

The female rider nodded slightly and fastened her helmet tightly.

"OK, I understand."

Kitano on the side bowed subconsciously, but after the female rider extended her palm, he promptly switched to a Western-style greeting.

"please."

On the track, following behind Ichiban's fast pace, Mejiro Sakuya walked slowly.

"It's amazing that you can still be so relaxed, young lady."

Xu Hesheng's palms, which were holding the leash, felt a little slippery unconsciously.

The emotion called tension has quietly spread to the field.

"Make sure you finish the race without incident, Sakuya."

As he said this, the white-haired boy patted the neck of the deer-haired horse that was rubbing against him.

Kitano stopped at the edge of the green space and waved to Mejiro Sakuya.

“Come on—”

However, perhaps because it didn't see it, or was simply too lazy to pay attention, the deer-haired horse just stuck out its tongue mischievously.

"Ah, this is truly a rare sight."

Even Huangshan, who had been looking gloomy since morning, couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head.

Then, the owner and the trainer observed the condition of the horse running behind.

Happy Time, which had previously defeated Sakumi Shiro Sakuya head-on in the Saudi Derby, has obviously gained several laps of weight and the muscle lines on its body have become more obvious.

but--

Compared with the 536-kilogram "Youth Forever" which can be called a mobile fortress at the back, there is still a big gap.

"It's really amazing."

Kitano wasn't the only one who felt the same way. Everyone who witnessed the deer-hair racehorse had the same feeling.

It is as if he is declaring "Who dares to block my way?" His youthful and bulging muscles and seemingly unfading physical tone attract the attention of horse fans.

The camp's previous decision to adopt a more aggressive initial opening strategy was also partly due to considerations of eternal youth.

Normally, Mejiro Sakuya is never at a disadvantage in confrontations.

However, Eternal Youth is a much larger opponent.

If the game becomes a situation where you need to rely on close combat to open up a path, it is not easy to successfully break through the opponent's obstacles.

Strong enemy——

After the feeling of emotion, there is a feeling between anticipation and nervousness.

After letting out a light breath, his gaze passed over Hachiman's Heart of Glory and fixed on Divine Might Anna.

Black Deer Hair's body hasn't changed much since the last Breeders' Cup.

It is said that after arriving in Dubai, the adjustment seems to have gone very smoothly.

Another powerful enemy that cannot be underestimated.

After about three laps, the running horse began to move towards the track.

After a hot day, the surface covered by clouds became cooler, and the original stuffiness was relieved.

The track condition was the same as in the previous races, and was judged to be "fast".

In the stands before the race, horse fans had already begun analyzing and looking forward to it, speculating who would turn such field conditions into an advantage.

"If it's the mud course in Meidan, it should be eternal youth."

"American horse queen, Vianna, is in excellent form lately." "Joytime, the double-wielding grass and mud horse, might perform even better on this mixed track."

From any angle, the lineup is as luxurious as an NHK Taiga drama, making every horse racing fan imagine his or her favorite ending.

"Mejiro Sakuya is a racehorse that won both the UAE and Kentucky Derby."

Suddenly, such a voice was heard from the crowd.

Among the runners, only one of them dominated the three muddy grounds with a heavy reward.

Mejiro Sakuya.

Among all the world-class top horses, Mejiro Sakuya ranked fourth with slightly lower popularity.

however--

The support surrounding her conveys a passion that goes beyond the numbers themselves.

As the deer-haired racehorse entered the arena, cheers in multiple languages ​​​​immediately rang out in the stands.

Under the guidance of some subtle paradox, the cheers gradually converged into the same voice:
"MEJIRO——"

On this stage that attracts the attention of horse fans around the world, the miraculous magic of Cinderella is quietly blooming.

During the trial walk in the debut circle, the previously taut string slowly loosened.

In the race track where it once ran, the deer-hair horse raised its legs and took brisk steps.

"call--"

The narrow gate gradually enlarged before her eyes, and Jin Meiqi slowly exhaled.

Looking up, I saw that although there was a shadow all around, the lights illuminated the track.

"Just do it."

She said to herself.

The same words were spoken on the day I chose to take on this commission.

Ten runners entered the gate one by one, and today's commentator, NBC Sport's chief live-action narrator Larry Colmos, also came to his exclusive viewing seat with a telescope.

The gray-haired commentator lifted his glasses and looked towards the track.

What is surging in my chest is the joy that comes from the heart.

Even in the American Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup events, such a luxurious outing lineup as today's is quite rare.

The gatekeepers all ran to the back, and the track was cleared.

With the title of being the strongest, ten top mud runners from around the world rushed out of the gate almost in no particular order.

The resounding cheers from the stands reached the sky, and Larry gripped the telescope tightly as he began today's commentary.

“Racing——”

“Dubai World Cup Number31 is on the way!”

The gates opened and the lights became more dazzling in the field of vision.

Without hesitation, Jin Meiqi pulled the reins wholeheartedly.

There is only one road left in sight.

In front of all opponents——

Lead the way!

"Mejiro Sakuya was pushing forward on the inside, having a great start. Then there was Forever Young, who was coming from the outside. Kamui Ana was also trying. Happy Time started the race from the back."

Various winning suits were quickly unfolded before his eyes. Larry held a telescope in his hand and accurately reported the positions of the popular horses.

Amidst the ground-shaking cheers, the horses that had quickly formed a long line in the early stages passed the grandstand in front of the finish line for the first time.

Before turning the corner, Happy Time, which was at the end of the first group, had already opened up a gap of more than two lengths from Glory Heart, which was at the front of the second group.

From the very beginning, this was a test from the gods to the powerful men of the mud land in the world.

That is--

Only the strongest who risk everything are qualified to win the Soul Medal.

　Chapter 2: Late
　　
　
(End of this chapter)