The news of Mihono Bourbon's entry into the Japan Cup spread like wildfire the moment the entry list was made public.
Articles about Mihono Bourbon were all over the internet, she was featured on multiple evening news programs, and the next day's newspapers even managed to make last-minute changes to include articles about her.
That's how big the name Mihono Bourbon is—no, that's how big the presence of an Uma Musume who was on the verge of an undefeated Classic Triple Crown is.
And it's a comeback after nearly a year, something truly unexpected. Even Tokai Teio's return was after a break of less than 10 months.
Just like Mihono Bourbon, Tokai Teio was also on the verge of an undefeated Classic Triple Crown, but a fractured left leg shattered that dream. However, she didn't give up. She underwent treatment, rehabilitation, and training for 10 months, and the following year... she challenged the Osaka Hai as her comeback race and won.
Another example of a comeback after a break of nearly a year is Mejiro McQueen, although she didn't win. After running in last year's Tenno Sho (Spring), she fractured her left leg and went on a long-term leave. From there, she underwent treatment, rehabilitation, and training, and then ran in this year's Osaka Hai.
I have to say, the members of Team Spica are something else. Why do they challenge G1 races after a long-term recovery? Well, Tokai Teio won, and Mejiro McQueen came in second, competing against my Rice and Tokai Teio...
Of course, the seniors from Spica, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen all ran because they thought they could win. So it's wrong for outsiders to criticize their judgment... but as a trainer, I still can't help but wonder, "Why?"
It's something I don't even want to think about, but let's say Urara, Rice, or King gets injured and has to go on a long-term leave. The period would be at least six months, or as long as a year.
I would have them heal from their injuries, do rehab, and when they can live their daily lives without any problems, they would start with a light training menu and regain their stamina and speed... I wouldn't be able to say, "Alright! Let's make their comeback race a G1!"
Saying "easy" sounds like I'm treating it lightly, but I would definitely have them run in an open race or at least a G3.
Or are they running in a G1 with the possibility that their comeback race might also be their retirement race? No, there's even a possibility that they might not be able to return even after a long-term recovery.
There's a possibility that they'll go through grueling rehabilitation, face their weakened bodies, and train again, all for the dream of racing again... but still not be able to.
When you think about it that way, a G1 as a comeback race might be a source of motivation for that Uma Musume. Of course, this only applies to Uma Musume who are already at a G1 level.
For some Uma Musume, it's difficult to even run in major races, including G2 and G3, let alone G1. In fact, just being able to run in a major race means you're already one of the best at Tracen Academy.
In that case, what kind of judgment would a trainer make for an Uma Musume who has suffered a serious injury that requires long-term leave? No, it wouldn't be strange for the Uma Musume herself to choose to retire at that point.
When you consider all these circumstances, it's not so strange for Mihono Bourbon, who has returned from a long-term leave, to run in the G1 Japan Cup, but—
(I hope she's not planning on making this her retirement race...)
That's what I can't help but think.
Mihono Bourbon is certainly a special talent. Her talent is top-class among Uma Musume, and as a leader, she can be said to be more than first-rate.
But that's only if she's had proper training and her talent has been honed in races. With a year-long break, no matter how highly I estimate her, she can probably only perform at the level she was at in the Classic division.
Still, you can't let your guard down in an Uma Musume race, but from observing Mihono Bourbon when she came to the club room, I can tell that she can't beat Rice right now. This is a result of my objective assessment of Mihono Bourbon's ability, without any bias.
Still... yes, what's scary about Mihono Bourbon is that you can't help but think she has something up her sleeve. She didn't get to the verge of an undefeated Classic Triple Crown for nothing.
The Japan Cup is a 2,400-meter turf race held at Tokyo Racecourse with a full field of 18 competitors.
As expected, it's the main race of the day at Tokyo Racecourse, the 11th race, with a start time of 3:40 PM. It's an international competition, so foreign Uma Musume can also run, but it's a race that has been having a problem lately with foreign Uma Musume not coming even when invited.
The prize money for first place is 300 million yen, which is on par with the Arima Kinen, and second place gets 120 million yen, which is more than a regular G1. Third place gets 75 million yen, fourth gets 45 million yen, and even fifth gets 30 million yen, making it a ridiculously high-stakes race.
Many trainers at Tracen Academy aim for that high prize money and try to have their Uma Musume run. Trainers get 10% of the prize money, so even in fifth place, it's 3 million yen. It's worth a shot. Money is important, so it can't be helped.
Well, since last year's Arima Kinen, I've gained a ton of friends and distant relatives I don't even know, so it's not all good. Because of that, I haven't been able to visit my family home even once since I became a trainer.
In fact, my mother told me on the phone, "I know you're doing well, so you don't have to come home." But she also said, "I'd be overjoyed if you brought a wife and a grandchild, so come and show me your face then."
I wonder if that means I shouldn't come back for years, or even a decade... I'll send her a hot spring trip ticket out of spite. They can have a good time together, just the two of them, for the New Year.
So, since the prize money is high and it's one of the most well-known G1s, the Uma Musume who run in it are naturally the top-class ones. Uma Musume with top-class prize money and ability want to run, and the remaining few spots are fought over by dozens of applications.
The Japan Cup is a very popular race among both Uma Musume and trainers. Unlike the Takarazuka Kinen and the Arima Kinen, where the Uma Musume who run are decided by popular vote, if you're lucky, your first G1 could be the Japan Cup.
Well, what I'm trying to say is—
"It's a good thing we came out a little early..."
Of course, there would be a lot of spectators who want to see this.
People, people, people crowded around Tokyo Racecourse. It's a sea of people. It's a popular race, and since many powerful Uma Musume are running in this Japan Cup, people are flocking to see the race live.
Mihono Bourbon's return to racing after a year is probably a big reason. There are people wearing headbands with "Mihono Bourbon is my life" or "Go, Mihono Bourbon" printed on them, wearing shirts, and some even wearing jackets with Mihono Bourbon's face printed on the back.
I wonder if those are official goods... or are they handmade? There are also a few people who are decked out in merchandise of the Uma Musume they're cheering for.
It's already a regular sight in this world for Uma Musume fans to flock to the racecourse for every G1 race. But even so, it seems like there are more people than usual this time...
Tokyo Racecourse boasts a capacity of about 200,000 people, but at this rate, it's probably already at capacity. Still, people are gathering around the Tokyo Racecourse, either because they can't give up on seeing the race live or they want to feel the excitement of the racecourse.
A quick search on my smartphone shows a news report that over half a million people have gathered in the area.
And the people who go out of their way to come to the racecourse are all die-hard Uma Musume race fans. It's a given that they have a specific Uma Musume they're cheering for, they buy up all the merchandise of that Uma Musume, and if they find out that Uma Musume is running in a race, they'll go to great lengths to get there. It's not uncommon for fans to rush to a race no matter where it is.
"Huh? Rice Shower? It's Rice Shower!?"
"You're right, it's Rice Shower!?"
"Kyaaaaaa! So cute! Look over here!"
Of course, when we walked by, we were surrounded by fans. Among the Uma Musume running in today's Japan Cup, Rice is one of the Uma Musume who is expected to win in terms of ability. Once she's noticed, the attention and voices from the surroundings rush in at once.
"It's Haru Urara! Look over here!"
"King! King! King! King!"
Of course, Urara and King are also popular. And you over there, please stop the King chants. King will start doing her "ohoho" laugh.
"Ah, since Rice Shower is with him, that person is the fence p..."
"Shh!"
Hmm? Did someone just say something while looking at me? Fence p... what?
I can't go forward, so I say, "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry, please let me through," and continue walking. The crowd parts neatly to the left and right. Is this the parting of the Red Sea?
Maybe because Uma Musume races have become a national pastime, the people in this world are surprisingly obedient and kind. If you ask them to let you through, they'll let you through. Their fan spirit is amazing.
Well, there are some people who are taking pictures with their smartphones, but for famous Uma Musume like Urara and the others, that's part of the price of fame. It can't be helped. I could warn one or two people, but with dozens of them holding up their smartphones, it's impossible to stop them.
I lead Urara and the others and enter Tokyo Racecourse. I wondered if the people who couldn't get in would complain, but they didn't seem to mind. They probably know I'm a trainer since I'm with Urara and the others, so it's only natural.
I send Rice off to the waiting room and check the time on my watch. It's a little early, but it's probably best to move to the paddock. It takes a lot of time to move around when there are so many people.
So, I move to the paddock with Urara and King... and I see a space in the front row of the paddock that's strangely empty. What's that? I wonder as I get closer, and then I understand when I see the person there.
A man taller than the average Japanese man, wearing a white tracksuit. But he's not wearing a shirt, so his chiseled abs are exposed. He's also wearing a black fedora and sunglasses.
He looks like a self-employed person of a certain type, but he's a fellow trainer. Or rather, he's Mihono Bourbon's trainer.
"Hey there."
"Yeah."
I stand next to the senior trainer and greet him. I told Urara and King to wait a little ways away. For some reason, I wanted to talk to this person.
The senior trainer glances at me from behind his sunglasses, but then immediately looks away and at the paddock. I do the same and place my elbows on the paddock fence.
"Mihono Bourbon, isn't this a little too reckless?"
And well... even though I know it's not my place to say, I ask. I thought it was rude, but I can't help but worry about her since she's returning from an injury. The senior trainer's mouth curls up slightly.
"What's this, a rookie trainer in his second year worrying about his rival? ...No, I can't call you a rookie anymore. You're a fine trainer now."
"I still have a long way to go. As you said, I'm still a rookie in my second year."
That's why I can't read the senior trainer's intentions... but this might be a difference in our training philosophies.
The senior trainer doesn't move and stares at the paddock, where the show is about to begin.
"To be honest, Bourbon was in a state where I didn't know if she would ever be able to race again. But she said she wanted to race again, and she wanted to compete with Rice Shower. She came back with that one thought in mind."
"...I heard it from her too, but I still think going straight into the Japan Cup is too much. If it's Mihono Bourbon, my Rice will wait for her for as long as it takes."
If Mihono Bourbon wants to challenge her, Rice will wait for her for as long as it takes. She would have run in an open race, I'm sure.
"Wait for her for as long as it takes, huh..."
The senior trainer's mouth twists into a wry smile at my words. Then, as if to contradict what he just said, his eyes soften as he looks at me like a young man.
"I'll correct myself. To be able to say that, you're still a rookie. I'm jealous."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Who knows..."
The senior trainer says evasively, but I understand what he's trying to say.
"You know this too, but Uma Musume have superior physical abilities, but their bodies are fragile compared to the power they exert. Bourbon has the most talent, is the most durable, and has the most guts of any Uma Musume I've ever trained. But she still gets injured when she gets injured. Of course, there's also the fact that I put too much pressure on her."
Durability is one of the talents of an Uma Musume. Although Rice has recovered now, her muscle balance was originally so bad that it looked like she was about to get injured, and she has experienced a long-term leave due to a fracture once.
The only injuries Urara has had since I started training her are scrapes, cuts, and minor inflammation. King has never had a major injury, even with her previous trainers. This is partly due to luck, but her durability is probably a big talent.
"And an Uma Musume can get an injury from which she can never race again. No, some can even get serious injuries that make it difficult to live their daily lives. Some can even lose their lives during a race."
"...If they're running at an Uma Musume's speed, that can happen."
"Yeah. That's why you should challenge when you can. You can get injured in training. The opponent you want to race against might not show up. But that's not the case today."
Having said that, the senior trainer turns his whole body, not just his gaze, to me. And he laughs, his cheeks pulled up.
"Today, we are the challengers. We're going to win, rookie."
"My Rice will win, senior."
Ah, it's no use. I can't stop this. There's no way to stop it.
He's challenging her knowing that Rice will definitely run in the second race of the Autumn Senior Triple Crown. And it's a race at the same location and distance as last year's Japan Derby, where Mihono Bourbon beat Rice. It seems he's even made sure to have some good luck.
He's avoiding the long-distance race where she lost to Rice and is coming to win for real. If it's a race where Rice is guaranteed to run, the Arima Kinen, the final race of the Autumn Senior Triple Crown, would also be a good choice, but the Arima Kinen has an uncertain element because the Uma Musume who run are decided by popular vote.
I think Mihono Bourbon will almost certainly be able to run, but there are many shining Uma Musume in the Classic division this year. When you think about the possibility of not being chosen by popular vote even if she wants to run, the Japan Cup is a more certain choice.
I can't say anything more to Mihono Bourbon and the senior trainer who wish to fight Rice so much. I can't, but...
"But I hope Mihono Bourbon will continue to run safely from now on. My Rice has only won against her once, after all."
"You should be satisfied with that one time. I'm a senior, you know."
We laugh a little at that. But then, the senior trainer squints from behind his sunglasses as if looking into the distance.
"But if something happens to her, I'm prepared to take responsibility... No, I'll take responsibility even if nothing happens..."
"...Responsibility?"
I ask, wondering what he's going to do, and the senior trainer grabs his fedora and mutters, hiding his expression.
"Forget it... It's just something I'm thinking about. Don't worry about it."
"Okay... If you say so."
Well, I can see a strong bond between the senior trainer and Mihono Bourbon. The word "responsibility" might sound bad, but I don't think anything bad will happen.
In any case, if Mihono Bourbon is running in the race with the intention of beating Rice, there's nothing more I can say. I bow to the senior trainer, part ways with him, and wait for the show in the paddock to begin.
And after waiting for a while, the show in the paddock finally begins, and the Uma Musume appear.
『No. 1, 1st gate, Rice Shower』
Today, Rice is running from the inside gate. Her expression is slightly more tense than usual... but I guess that can't be helped. Although the course is maintained for each race, the inner rail gets rough by the 11th race, so she has to be careful.
『No. 2, 1st gate, Winning Ticket』
This one... she seems to be in good condition. Her body looks good, and her last-minute burst is very strong despite being in the Classic division. We need to be careful... In fact, there are too many Uma Musume to be careful about in today's race.
『No. 3, 2nd gate, Mihono Bourbon』
Next to appear is Mihono Bourbon. Since it's a G1, she's naturally in her special racing uniform... She's wearing a high-cut leotard that looks both silver and white, a low-rise miniskirt, and her waist, head, and shoes have some strangely mechanical parts attached to them. She's also wearing knee-high socks.
Many of the racing uniforms are unique, but Mihono Bourbon's is by far the most unique. I wonder if that futuristic design is Mihono Bourbon's taste or the racing uniform designer's taste.
(Putting the racing uniform aside... she seems to be in good condition, and her body looks good... but...)
She looks to be on the same level as, or slightly inferior to, Winning Ticket, who just came out. Mihono Bourbon is in the Senior division, but the year-long break must have been a huge factor. Winning Ticket is a top-class Uma Musume in the Classic division, but when I look at her as a Senior division Uma Musume...
(At the very least, she's not an opponent for Rice to mark.)
That's the conclusion I've come to. I have no choice but to.
『No. 4, 2nd gate, Twin Turbo』
Next to appear is Twin Turbo from Team Canopus. She's laughing heartily, showing her jagged teeth, and when I see her, I frown.
(She seems to be in great condition as usual... but she made a reverse spurt in the Autumn Tenno Sho... Personally, I think she's the hardest to read.)
Since her racing uniform hides the shape of her body, all I can tell is her condition. But her condition looks to be in top form. It might be more accurate to rely on Rice's intuition for this one.
『No. 6, 3rd gate, Mejiro Palmer』
Now... this one is also a great leader. So I check on her carefully, and she seems to be in good shape and good condition. However, she's still a strong opponent if her stamina holds up until the end.
The question is whether her stamina will last, and the same can be said for Twin Turbo. However, when Twin Turbo runs out of stamina, she makes a reverse spurt, but this one will keep going with guts even when her stamina runs out. I can't let my guard down.
『No. 9, 5th gate, Special Week』
An Uma Musume from Team Spica and this year's Derby Uma Musume. Her face is a little tense, but the way she stands proudly in her racing uniform suggests an unfinished masterpiece.
(Hmm... she has good haunches... As expected of the senior trainer.)
She's an Uma Musume that the senior trainer from Spica has raised from scratch. I can't let my guard down even though she's in the Classic division.
『No. 10, 5th gate, El Condor Pasa』
This one is an Uma Musume from Team Rigil. She has raced against Urara before but not against Rice. However, in my opinion, she's an Uma Musume who can win against Senior division opponents.
Her body looks... good. She seems to be in good condition too, so I can't let my guard down with her either.
『No. 11, 6th gate, Nice Nature』
The second competitor from Team Canopus. This one has a stable ability... Her body looks good, and she seems to be in good condition. However, among the members of Team Canopus, Twin Turbo is harder to read and scarier. Or rather, the one who's hard to read isn't Twin Turbo, but the senior trainer from Canopus.
『No. 12, 6th gate, Mejiro McQueen』
She missed the Autumn Tenno Sho due to tenosynovitis, but she has returned and is running in the Japan Cup... Yes, that's something to be happy about. But I can't just be happy about the return of a strong opponent.
She seems to be in good condition... However, since she also had treatment for tenosynovitis, her body isn't in perfect shape. Still, of course, I can't let my guard down.
『No. 13, 7th gate, Machikane Tannhauser』
The third competitor from Team Canopus... Is it okay for two teams to take up one-third of all the competitors? It feels a little close...
(I heard Ikuno Dictus was talking about retirement... Her feelings for racing seem strong.)
She's in great shape and seems to be in good condition. But I don't think she's scary. That's how I feel about her.
『No. 14, 7th gate, Oguri Cap』
(...Hmm?)
I frowned when I saw Oguri Cap appear.
I've seen her in the paddock many times before, but she was usually spaced out when she wasn't racing, so it was hard to read her condition. But today's Oguri Cap is different. Her expression is more tense than ever, and I can feel her spirit.
Her body looks... not bad.
(I wouldn't say she's in perfect shape, but that spirit of hers is scary because I don't know how she's going to run...)
The rest will have to be seen when she actually runs. However, the result might change depending on whether she's just not in shape or if she's not well-rested and her condition seems bad.
『No. 16, 8th gate, Tokai Teio』
Today, Tokai Teio is running from the outside gate. Her condition is... hmm...
(I guess I should have her mark Tokai Teio today?)
Her body, her condition, and most importantly, her spirit are different. In the Autumn Tenno Sho, she had a strong rivalry with Twin Turbo, and the moment she passed Twin Turbo and let her guard down, Rice overtook her. That's probably affecting her, but today's Tokai Teio is scary.
『No. 18, 8th gate, Seiun Sky』
And finally, the appearance of Seiun Sky, who has been making headlines with her world record, from the far outside gate. She's still wearing that carefree smile of hers, but...
(Hmm... she doesn't look to be in good condition? Her body looks...)
She's also hard to read, but she doesn't seem to be in good condition today. At the very least, she doesn't have that feeling of being up to something like she did in the Kikuka Sho.
(After she set the world record, she must have had a lot of interviews and been busy.)
The same happened with my Rice. When you set a big record, things like that inevitably happen.
Depending on the Uma Musume's personality, she might choose to refuse all interviews, but Uma Musume are basically in the fan business. Of course, they'll refuse such things when a race is approaching, but it's hard to refuse right after they set a record.
(Looking at each Uma Musume, if I were to have her mark someone, it would be Tokai Teio. But there are a lot of strong leaders here—Seiun Sky, Mihono Bourbon, Twin Turbo, Mejiro Palmer... If I'm not careful, they might get away with the lead...)
There are too many Uma Musume to be careful about, and it's a pain to decide who to mark. I've decided that Tokai Teio is the one to be most careful about today, but if I leave the leaders free, they might just get away with the lead. However, there's also a possibility that the leaders will wear each other out.
"Big brother."
As I'm thinking, Rice calls out to me from across the paddock fence. Her expression is even more tense than it was before, but what I see on her face is determination... or is it?
It's similar to the look she had before the Arima Kinen last year, when she pleaded that she absolutely wanted to win.
"...I think the one to mark today would be Tokai Teio."
"Yeah... I think so too, if I'm going to mark someone, it would be Teio-san."
Our opinions match. But even though they match, we're probably thinking about different things.
"Big brother, Rice... wants to win this race."
"You always do, right? So?"
I laugh, wondering why she's saying this now. Rice has always wanted to win, no matter who she's up against.
"I'm going to take the lead and win... I think I'll go for a head-on race..."
"I see... I understand."
Rice's running isn't just about marking and coming from behind. Just running in the lead is a weapon in itself.
"...Is it okay?"
"Tokai Teio is scary, but the other Uma Musume are scary too. So I think the chances of winning are higher if you go for a head-on race with everything you've built up until now."
There's a possibility that she might pass Tokai Teio but then lose because another Uma Musume comes up from behind. Also, Rice is famous for marking and coming from behind. So going for a head-on race in the lead might be a surprise.
And most of all, Rice wants to run that way. So, I'll send her off with a smile.
"Go get 'em, Rice. Go show Mihono Bourbon how much you've grown in this past year."
"—Yeah!"
Rice nods with a smile, and I nod back.
—The Japan Cup is about to begin.
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