Training Room.
Barbatos sat at the center of the conference table, all members of Canopus present and accounted for.
This was the first strategy meeting called by Trainer Minamizaka since she'd joined Canopus.
It wasn't that Canopus held few strategy meetings—most were just organized spontaneously by the team members themselves, not by Minamizaka.
Written on the whiteboard was the meeting's topic: "G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, 1600 Meters (One Mile), Left-Handed, Turf."
Minamizaka stood in front of the whiteboard, wearing his usual grey suit, his expression quite serious.
When it came to things like training runs, he had already done his homework and prepared a solid training plan for Barbatos.
But unless Barbatos actually hit a wall, this plan was probably going to be shelved.
Even if they couldn't start the training yet, the points to watch for in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup still needed to be explained to Barbatos in advance.
"This G3 race won't be as easy as the newcomer races were."
"Barbatos, the opponents you'll be facing next won't be Uma Musume who are still in the newcomer leagues."
"While you did defeat Queen Berry in the Canna Stakes, one thing you must note is that she was just one person. In the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, you'll be facing a field entirely composed of Uma Musume at her level."
Here, Minamizaka paused, as if waiting for something. Sure enough, he saw Twin Turbo raise her hand.
Minamizaka called on her like a teacher. "Miss Twin Turbo, go ahead."
"Why just the same level?"
"And shouldn't what B-chan needs to watch out for be Uma Musume who are much stronger than Queen Berry?"
Although Queen Berry had run in G3 races before, there were plenty in the G3 circuit who could be stronger than her.
Why was Minamizaka emphasizing the number of opponents rather than the issue of their strength?
Barbatos nodded in agreement; her thoughts aligned pretty closely with Twin Turbo's.
But she also understood that Minamizaka must have his reasons for saying it this way. She found herself looking forward to his explanation, curious to see how he would break it down.
"Uma Musume stronger than Queen Berry?"
Minamizaka stated a simple fact. "Although I haven't been a trainer for long, I can see that Barbatos's ability is first-rate, even by G3 standards."
Because Barbatos was about to enter a G3 race, and Seiun Sky probably wouldn't be far behind, he had spent the last few days watching all the recent G3 races and familiarizing himself with the entrants for this Saudi Arabia Royal Cup.
His earlier comment about her being 'first-rate' wasn't an exaggeration.
If he had to put it plainly, Barbatos, El Condor Pasa, and Seiun Sky were all skilled enough to run in G3 races straight away. Even within the G3 circuit, they would rank among the top-tier of G3-level Uma Musume.
Whereas in the newcomer races they might have been able to win by ten lengths or more, in a G3 race, pulling ahead by six lengths would probably be considered an exceptional performance.
But real races aren't calculated that simply.
The reason competitive sports, whether it's running or League, draw so many viewers is because of their inherent unpredictability.
Aside from the "Emperor" herself, Symboli Rudolf, the outcome of any competition remains unknown until the very last moment.
It's just like in a League of Legends match.
Your team could be leading by ten thousand gold. Everyone thinks it's a sure win, but then your ADC goes up to the enemy's high ground to flash an emote, and suddenly your team can't win a teamfight anymore.
"So, what should I be watching out for then?"
Barbatos looked at Minamizaka, puzzled.
If he thought her ability was first-rate even among G3 Uma Musume, then why had he earlier said she needed to be aware that there wasn't just one opponent on Queen Berry's level?
From what she understood, the only one who would use underhanded methods like Queen Berry was, well, Queen Berry herself.
So what exactly did Minamizaka want her to watch out for?
"In the Canna Stakes, you should have been able to clearly feel the difference in ability between Queen Berry and the other Uma Musume, right?"
"Yeah, it was like they weren't even on the same level."
Even after being affected by Barbatos's trash talk and getting a slow start, Queen Berry had still managed to rally and finish third.
Barbatos thought for a moment and added, "And the tactics she used in Special Week's race were pretty sophisticated, too."
Whether it was precisely kicking up mud while running, or immediately regaining her balance after failing to bump into Special Week.
"So, what if, in your next race, a dozen Uma Musume on Queen Berry's level are all marking you, and only you?"
"They won't make the same mistakes the Uma Musume in your debut race made."
"Whoa now... that's a bit much, isn't it?"
Barbatos's cheek twitched involuntarily. "That many seniors, all marking little old me?"
Minamizaka let out a light sigh, a bit helpless. "What did you expect? You've all become far too famous."
--+--
Rigil Meeting Room.
Toujou Hana stood before El Condor Pasa. "If I were the trainer of an opposing Uma Musume, I would definitely instruct them to mark El Condor Pasa closely."
"So, you'd best run under the assumption that the inside rail will be completely blocked off."
If the inside path is completely blocked, it's the equivalent of running dozens of meters farther than the Uma Musume on the rail.
In the newcomer races, El Condor Pasa could simply use a front-runner strategy to avoid this problem altogether—that was a pure display of superior strength. She might be able to get away with it in a G3 race too.
But what about in G2, or even G1 races?
As El Condor Pasa's fame grows, even in G1 races she'll be heavily marked, and she'll be facing nothing but G1-level Uma Musume.
In that scenario, will she still be able to rely on her less-polished front-running strategy to cope?
It's better to just gain the experience now, in a G3 race.
--+--
Two Tracks, Early October.
"Will all competing Uma Musume please enter the starting gates!"
In the commentator's box, the race caller and the analyst kept an eye on the state of the competitors while discussing the hottest topic of the day.
"With 2 wins from 2 races and overwhelming dominance in the newcomer leagues, will Barbatos/El Condor Pasa manage to secure her first G3 victory today?"
The analyst threw some cold water on the idea. "That might be quite difficult."
The race caller sounded puzzled. "And why is that?"
"Because Barbatos/El Condor Pasa has simply become far too famous! She's likely to find herself completely surrounded by all the other competitors in this race!"
The analyst thought it, but didn't say it out loud.
Because saying it would be tantamount to revealing the other Uma Musumes' race strategy—even if that strategy wasn't much of a secret to veteran analysts and trainers.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.