Even when Mejiro McQueen was blocked in fourth place by Machikane Opera and Biwa Hayahide, there was not the slightest panic in her heart.
Having raced against Rice Shower last time, her mental fortitude had already grown stronger, not easily shaken.
Sakura Bakushin O's Spartan-style training method not only improved the Horse Girl's pure strength.
Although supported by Sakura Bakushin O's various items, this was not a game after all. Even if mood and stamina could be restored through items, that training method would still cause considerable mental fatigue to the Horse Girl.
And this could not be recovered by items alone.
While the enormous training volume initially took a toll on the Horse Girl's mental state, it also increased their mental strength.
This is also why the previous Mejiro McQueen, under Rice Shower's fierce, beast-like Presence, was able to maintain her leading advantage until the finish line after overtaking Mejiro Dober.
Mejiro McQueen found a weakness the instant Machikane Opera lost speed, and she overtook her in one fell swoop.
Most of the audience present were simply thrilled and cheered wildly because Mejiro McQueen had finally broken through the pincer attack of the two preceding Horse Girl.
But a few people in the audience were completely amazed by Mejiro McQueen's maneuver.
At this moment, in the Kyoto Racecourse, Minamisaka, Trainer of Canopus, and Kuronuma, Trainer of Mihono Bourbon, both showed a slight stirring when they saw Mejiro McQueen seize Machikane Opera's momentary weakness and overtake her on the slope.
"Trainer-san, what's wrong?" Ikuno Dictus, wearing glasses, keenly noticed Minamisaka's change and asked.
"He's probably surprised that Opera O was overtaken by McQueen, too. Seriously, I should have let Turbine run!"
Twin Turbo looked back at her Trainer and then shouted defiantly.
"No, it's not that simple," Minamisaka uncharacteristically retorted. "Accelerating on a slope consumes stamina at double the rate. If Mejiro McQueen hadn't successfully overtaken Opera O and Biwa Hayahide in their pincer attack just now, she would have lost a significant amount of stamina and speed."
"So it is," Ikuno Dictus adjusted her glasses and slowly said, "I felt McQueen's overtake wasn't that simple."
With that, she turned to Minamisaka again.
"Speaking of which, an Horse Girl with such timing and instantaneous judgment, besides Miss McQueen, there shouldn't be anyone else who can do it, right?"
"No, McQueen's move just now was indeed brilliant, but there are quite a few who are better than her."
"For example, Super Creek, trained by Naase Fuminori."
"Ah! Is Super Creek-senpai that strong?!"
Ikuno Dictus was instantly astonished. She usually only saw Super Creek, Oguri Cap, and a few others hanging out together every day, rarely seeing them run.
She hadn't expected Minamisaka's evaluation of Super Creek to surpass Mejiro McQueen.
"Super Creek, she is someone who, in the Kikka Sho of the Classic Triple Crown Race, when blocked behind countless Horse Girl, seized a momentary gap without railings at the intersection of the clockwise and counter-clockwise tracks, and overtook everyone to win the championship."
"That level of difficulty is immeasurably greater than overtaking one person on a slope."
"It… it's actually like that, I really didn't expect it…"
Ikuno Dictus was full of surprise, even stuttering slightly.
She really hadn't expected that Super Creek, who always appeared gentle and elegant, with a strong maternal Presence and a generous demeanor, was actually so formidable.
"However, I do see the potential of Super Creek in this Mejiro McQueen. Super Creek's strength is inseparable from her Trainer, Naase Fuminori, and Mejiro McQueen's Trainer, Sakura Bakushin O, is indeed another one hailed as the youngest genius Trainer after Naase Fuminori."
Minamisaka chuckled, looking at Kuronuma, the Trainer in the distance with an open shirt revealing his muscular physique.
Mihono Bourbon's Trainer was probably the most taciturn of all Trainers, but after noticing Mejiro McQueen seizing the opportunity to overtake Machikane Opera, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes behind his sunglasses.
"Sakura Bakushin O, huh…"
--
"We see Mihono Bourbon has entered the final turn. After the downhill, it will be the sprint on the Final Straight. Can she maintain her leading advantage until the very end?"
"It's truly surprising. Her comeback after such a long rest seems to have had no impact on her strength whatsoever."
Although the Announcer and Commentator said so, everyone present, including them and the audience, was holding their breath, clearly anticipating something.
After climbing the uphill, they entered the final turn.
And Mejiro McQueen's moment to unleash her power was now, at this very instant.
She did not show the slightest slack after overtaking Machikane Opera. After a few seconds, the moment her white long boots touched the final turn, Mejiro McQueen suddenly erupted with incredible speed.
"She's bursting! She's bursting! It's Mejiro McQueen's burst! She's finally accelerating!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!"
Countless people raised their hands, their long-held breath finally erupting into cheers.
Mejiro McQueen's burst in the final turn was her greatest trump card.
"Biwa Hayahide is influenced by Mejiro McQueen and also begins to accelerate! But she's a step too slow."
"One body length, half a body length…"
"She's overtaken her! Mejiro McQueen has overtaken Biwa Hayahide, and is now in second place, rapidly closing the distance with Mihono Bourbon."
"Mihono Bourbon's speed has not been able to increase further. Her expression also shows signs of strain. Is her stamina insufficient to accelerate further?"
"What a pity. It seems leading for 3200 meters is a considerable challenge for Mihono Bourbon's stamina."
"She's overtaken her! Mejiro McQueen has overtaken Mihono Bourbon, becoming first place! Following closely behind Mihono Bourbon is Biwa Hayahide, in second place."
No sooner had the Announcer finished speaking than two more incredibly swift figures overtook the technologically advanced Mihono Bourbon.
"Narita Taishin and Nice Nature have also caught up! They've also overtaken Mihono Bourbon. Mihono Bourbon is now in fifth place, and all five of them have reached the Final Straight, preparing for the final struggle!"
Mihono Bourbon gritted her teeth, watching the Horse Girl passing her one by one, and a slight feeling of powerlessness began to emerge in her heart.
The long period of rest without competing had caused varying degrees of changes to her physical condition.
She, who had almost achieved the Triple Crown before, she, who dreamed of defeating Rice Shower, found herself struggling even to secure a top three position at this moment.
Mihono Bourbon felt the strength in her legs reaching its limit. Leading for over two thousand meters was a considerable test of her stamina.
"Detecting insufficient stamina, unable to accelerate further."
Mihono Bourbon subtly shook her head, feeling immense regret for the promise she had made to Rice Shower before the race.
But just then, a voice reached Mihono Bourbon's ears.
A voice she was incredibly familiar with, yet it sounded extremely unfamiliar.
"Miss Bourbon, don't lose!!!!"
Mihono Bourbon's heart trembled, and she suddenly turned her head, seeing Rice Shower at the very front of the spectator stands, cupping her hands like a megaphone and shouting loudly at her.
--