The Tenno Sho (Autumn) ended with Rice in 1st place. Rice herself was ecstatic about her first G1 victory in a middle-distance race... or so I thought.
She was half-happy and half-angry. The happiness was, of course, from winning the race, and the anger was because Tokai Teio was only looking at Twin Turbo.
Rice—no, the Umamusume named Rice Shower—has a very strong will to win races. That's why, even though she was happy about winning, she probably didn't like that Tokai Teio's attention was on Twin Turbo and not her.
Maybe because they were rivals who competed against each other in the Senior Triple Crown in spring, Rice couldn't accept Tokai Teio's running style. But a win is a win, and she wouldn't have won if she had made even the slightest mistake in her last spurt.
"Onii-sama, please pet Rice more?"
Maybe that's why Rice was so clingy before training the next day. She sat on my lap while I was working, leaned against my body, and looked up at me, demanding to be petted.
"Okay. Good girl, Rice, you did so well! I know you're bothered by Tokai Teio's running style, but this is your fourth G1 win! And you've won both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho! You did great!"
I praised her over and over again. It had been a while since I had praised Rice so much, lifting her up with Urara. Before, I did it to cheer up Rice, who would often get depressed, thinking she was a bad person who brought misfortune to others. But recently, I feel like I've been using it only to appease Rice.
Rice is usually quite a sweetheart outside of races and training, but this time, her clinginess seems to be here to stay. However, there was a reason I couldn't just keep giving her my attention.
"Rice-senpai, that's enough. Urara-san's race is coming up, you know?"
As if she had read my mind, King pulled Rice away. I thanked her and took out an envelope.
It was the entry list for Urara's JBC Sprint.
The Tenno Sho (Autumn) with Rice had just ended, and Urara's JBC Sprint would be in early November... but the JBC Sprint is held on a weekday, just like the Japan Dirt Derby.
And the JBC Sprint, Classic, and Ladies' Classic change locations every year, but this year, they're being held at the same place as the Japan Dirt Derby, the Ooi Racecourse.
When is it on a weekday? Tomorrow. The Tenno Sho (Autumn) was yesterday, but the JBC Sprint is tomorrow. I guess it was a valid response when Tazuna-san asked if things would get easier after the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
But once I get through this, things will get easier... I hope...
The JBC Sprint, which Urara wanted to run in, is one of the few G1 dirt races and has a full gate of 16 runners.
And on the same day as the JBC Sprint... or rather, at the Ooi Racecourse, three G1 races will be held in a row: the JBC Ladies' Classic as the 8th race, the JBC Sprint as the 9th race, and the JBC Classic as the 10th race.
It's rare to see three G1 races in a row, not just on dirt but on turf as well. No, it's not just rare; there might not be any others.
Three G1 dirt races in a row... and the distances are also spread out: the JBC Ladies' Classic is 1800 meters (mile), the JBC Sprint is 1200 meters (short-distance), and the JBC Classic is 2000 meters (middle-distance). Because of this, the Umamusume in each race will also be different.
The JBC Sprint, which Urara will run in, doesn't have the names of the Umamusume I'm wary of. However, many Senior-class Umamusume will be running, so it won't be an easy race.
The Smart Falcon I was wary of was on the entry list for the JBC Ladies' Classic, so she won't be in this race. The names of Oguri Cap, El Condor Pasa, Taiki Shuttle, and Meek, who can also run on dirt, weren't on the list either.
It's understandable for Oguri Cap since it's only been about ten days since the Kikuka Sho, but what about El Condor Pasa and Taiki Shuttle? Are they aiming for the Queen Elizabeth Cup, the Mile Championship--or the Japan Cup?
It's a time of year when G1 turf races are concentrated, so it wouldn't be strange for them to enter any race. The same goes for the other top Classic-class Umamusume. In fact, they'll probably all rush to enter the Japan Cup because of its fame.
So, that brings me to this.
"King, Urara's race is tomorrow, but we have to decide on your next race as well."
"Oh, is that something you decide the day before Urara-san's race?"
King looked a little surprised at my words.
"I was thinking that the G3 Fukushima Kinen would be a good target for your next race... The race interval would be short, but there's a three-week gap from the Kikuka Sho."
The Fukushima Kinen is a 2000-meter middle-distance race. I think there's a high chance she can win a middle-distance G3 while the other top Umamusume are aiming for G1s.
"The Fukushima Kinen? Even if I want to win G3s in all distances, I'd prefer a higher-level race... No, if I miss that, the only other middle-distance race I can run this month is the Japan Cup."
"There's the Argentina Republic Cup for long-distance, but that's this weekend... I want to avoid having a race only two weeks after the last one as much as possible."
"I see... It's your judgment. I'm sure it's the right one."
King nodded in agreement. I looked at her and scratched my head in a troubled manner.
"There's also the option of the Queen Elizabeth Cup, just in case..."
The Queen Elizabeth Cup is a G1 middle-distance race. The timing is about the same as the Fukushima Kinen, but since it's 2200 meters, there's a possibility that a lot of rival Umamusume will enter.
I think they'll probably go for the Japan Cup because of the timing, but running in another G1 less than a month after the Kikuka Sho would be a big burden on King's body.
...No, even though it was King's wish, I shouldn't be saying this after I had her run in the Kikuka Sho a month after the Sprinters Stakes.
"In December, there's the long-distance G2 Stayers Stakes. And the middle-distance G3s, Challenge Cup and Chunichi Shimbun Hai. And also the long-distance... Arima Kinen."
The Stayers Stakes is 3600 meters, one of the longest races in Japan. The Challenge Cup and Chunichi Shimbun Hai are 2000 meters, so if we pass on the Fukushima Kinen, we could have her run in one of those.
There's also the option of having King run in the Japan Cup or the Arima Kinen.
However, a lot of top Senior-class Umamusume will be running in the Japan Cup, so King might not even be able to run with her current prize money. And she needs to be voted in by fans to run in the Arima Kinen.
King's popularity must have grown after her 3rd-place finish in the Kikuka Sho, so if she wants to, she might be able to run in the Arima Kinen--but in that case, she'll have to compete with Rice. The same goes for the Japan Cup.
"You'll have to clash with Rice in both the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen... Do you want to try?"
"I'll pass. I can't beat Rice-senpai yet."
The fact that she said 'yet' shows that King also has a good amount of grit. Look, Rice's eyes are sparkling, you know?
"--Rice wants to compete with King-chan in a race?"
King's cheeks twitched when Rice smiled and said that. Yes, King definitely can't win against her right now. There might be a chance for her to win in the middle-distance Japan Cup, but there's no way she can win against Rice in the long-distance Arima Kinen.
King would definitely win in a short-distance race, and for a mile... she'd have a 50/50 chance. But if they compete in a middle-distance race or longer, King will almost certainly lose.
King cleared her throat and looked at me with a worried expression.
"Ahem... I could aim for a G1, but I'll stick to a G2 or G3 for now. And Trainer, are you going to be okay? Urara-san's race is tomorrow, but I'm sure you're getting a lot of interview requests because Rice-senpai won both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho, aren't you?"
"Hahaha... I'll manage... I think..."
That's right, the reason I'm so busy and overwhelmed is not only because Urara's JBC Sprint is tomorrow but also because of the mountain of interview requests for me and Rice after her win in the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
I've asked Tazuna-san to hold off on them until after Urara's race, but I probably can't postpone them for too long.
I did have a winner's interview last night after Rice's Winning Live, but winning both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho is such a huge accomplishment that it won't just end there.
After all, it's a great feat that even Symboli Rudolf hasn't achieved. I wasn't even aware of it... In fact, I only realized it when a reporter told me during the winner's interview.
'Congratulations on winning both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho! It's a great record that even Symboli Rudolf hasn't achieved! Were you aiming for it?'
'Huh? What are you talking about...?! Oh, yes! I wanted to if I could!'
'......'
There was a moment when I was about to answer honestly without understanding what she was talking about. It was a live broadcast, so I'm sure the people at home had a good laugh.
But I couldn't help it, could I? I was depressed because there was a high chance we would have lost if Rice hadn't noticed Twin Turbo's condition, and it was hard for me to appease Rice after the Winning Live...
The look the reporter gave me, as if to say, 'Is this guy for real...?' was painful.
And so, I've been getting all kinds of interview requests. The monthly magazine Twinkle, which I was interviewed by before, also requested one, of course. In fact, Otome-shi-san called me directly.
Still, I told her it would have to be after Urara's race. I wonder if I should just call all the reporters at once and get it over with, like I did for the Arima Kinen.
With Seiun Sky's world record last week and Rice's win of both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho yesterday, the current Umamusume industry is very hot.
Even after a week has passed, the moment Seiun Sky set her world record is still shown on TV, and since last night, the scenes of Rice running and winning in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) have been shown a lot.
In return, the public's attention on them is higher than ever. Not only Rice, but even I'm getting requests for a solo interview.
"...Onii-sama, Rice, I'm sorry for troubling you ah!"
And since she was about to say something silly, I lightly poked Rice's forehead.
"What are you saying, Rice? The interviews are because you won. How is that a bother? I'm proud of you, in fact."
"...Onii-sama!"
When I said that with a wry smile, Rice hugged me from the front. Whoa there... Rice is really clingy today. When I patted her back, Rice pressed her face against my chest and wagged her tail fiercely.
"Trainer, I know I'm saying this incorrectly, but Rice-senpai is a habitual offender. And Rice-senpai, you have to do your final adjustments for Urara-san's race, so please take it easy. Even if the menu is light today, time is limited, you know?"
"...Okay... you're right. Urara-chan has a race tomorrow, so I have to check her condition properly."
Rice reluctantly let go of me when she heard King's words. And then she made a face, sticking out her tongue a little and joking around.
Her frustration with Tokai Teio... it seems she has accepted it for now. But what will Rice do if the Japan Cup is like yesterday's race... Mejiro McQueen is also coming back, so I guess that won't happen.
"Alright, Urara! The menu is light today, but since you had a day off yesterday, we'll make it a little tougher than usual before a race!"
"Okay! I'll do my best! I'll follow Rice-chan!"
I switched my focus and moved on to training. And maybe because she was motivated by Rice's victory yesterday, Urara replied with a lot of energy.
And the next day.
Even though it was a weekday, since the race was in the evening, Urara took the day off from school. Rice and King also took the afternoon off to cheer for their teammate.
I checked Urara's condition in the morning, and when Rice and King arrived, I had Urara eat a late lunch, and then we headed to the racecourse.
Urara's JBC Sprint was at 5:10 PM, but we left a little early in case there were any transportation delays.
The weather was a little rainy at times, but it didn't look like it was going to get worse. The track conditions would probably be slightly heavy to heavy. No, it's also possible that it's raining heavily there and the track is in bad condition.
Since it was November, the sun was setting earlier, and since the sky was covered in clouds, it might be completely dark by the time the race starts. Well, it's much better than the Japan Dirt Derby, which started after 8 PM. There are lights, so it'll be bright.
And so, we arrived at the Ooi Racecourse a little early.
"Urara-chan, hi!"
For some reason, we ran into Smart Falcon. No, 'ran into' sounds bad. We bumped into Smart Falcon.
"Wow! It's Falco-chan! What is it, what's up?"
Urara smiled at Smart Falcon, whom she hadn't seen at a racecourse in a while. They often saw each other at Tracen Academy, but it's not common to see her at a racecourse, especially since they weren't competing in the same race today.
From her demeanor, she must have been looking for Urara...
"I didn't have any specific reason... Hehe!"
Smart Falcon looked at Urara from head to toe and smiled, her lips curling up at the corners. She was smiling, but her eyes were narrowed as if she was observing her.
"Before a G1 race, Falco gets nervous! I thought talking to Urara-chan would help me relax!"
"Oh? Hmm..."
Urara poked her own head with her finger and made a puzzled face.
"But Falco-chan, you don't look nervous?"
When Urara said that, Smart Falcon smiled.
"I am! Falco's running in the JBC Ladies' Classic, so my race is one before Urara-chan's... I want to win and pass the baton to Urara-chan!"
Hahaha, this girl is saying something incredible with a smile. She's declaring that she'll win 1st place in the JBC Ladies' Classic, which Senior-class Umamusume will be running in.
Does that mean she's that confident? Even if so, why is she so fixated on my Urara? And by 'pass the baton,' does she mean 'you have to win 1st place in a G1 too?'
As I was wondering what to do, Urara took Rice and King's arms and gave a huge smile.
"I already got the baton from Rice-chan and King-chan, so it's okay! So, you do your best in your race too, Falco-chan!"
Urara was declaring that she would run like King, from whom she had already received the baton at the Kikuka Sho, and Rice, from whom she had received it at the Tenno Sho (Autumn) the day before yesterday.
I don't know what to say about Smart Falcon's expression when she heard Urara's declaration. She was still smiling, but it felt like her smiling mask had cracked.
"Yeah... thank you, Urara-chan. Falco's all relaxed now."
Still, Smart Falcon kept her smile and thanked Urara. But well, there was something peeking out from under her cracked mask.
"--Falco's looking forward to today's race."
What was there was her determination for the race and her pride in her ability. In terms of her feelings for racing, she might be similar to Rice, but she seems to have gone to an extreme in a different way.
Smart Falcon turned her back on us and walked away with a light, bouncy step. She seemed so happy that she might even be humming, and there was no sign of her being nervous even though she was about to run in a G1 race.
(The races we're running in today are different... but she's still the biggest wall for Urara.)
As if to prove my inner thoughts, Smart Falcon that day managed to beat even the Senior-class Umamusume, escaping to a victory with a 5-length lead over the 2nd-place runner.
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