Chapter 83. Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Gate Position
(FYI, Hanshin Juvenile Fillies wasn't named as it is in 1996, rather it was Hanshin Sansai Himba. In addition, it is not limited to mare racehorses entrant)
Two days before the race, on Friday, the URA Association released the official gate assignments for the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.
Shuta An sat down in front of his computer, opened the email, and clicked the attachment without hesitation. He wanted to see just how fortunate Mejiro Dober had been this time.
He raised his eyebrows.
Gate 6.
At first glance, it seemed slightly inside. But with only ten Uma Musumes in the field, gate 6 was, in fact, ideal.
"There aren't many runners to begin with, so traffic won't be a serious concern. And now she's drawn a clean position in the middle," Shuta An murmured, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips. "Her winning probability just increased again."
He began reviewing the rest of the draw.
Super Dress, who had already declared a bold escape strategy, drew gate 7. She would start just outside Dober. That posed no real issue. Dober had no intention of contesting the early lead; Super Dress's aggressive positioning would not disrupt her rhythm.
Seeking The Pearl drew gate 1—the innermost post. For a runner employing a Senko tactic, that was both blessing and burden. She would not need to fight for position early, but the draw imposed strict demands on her start. Any hesitation, any sluggish break, and she would be trapped with little room to recover.
She's Princess, fresh off her victory in the Fantasy Stakes, drew the outermost gate, 10. From that position, seizing the front would be extraordinarily difficult unless she possessed overwhelming early speed. Given the configuration of Hanshin's 1600-meter turf course, Shuta found it unlikely she would attempt such a gamble.
"She'll chase," he concluded quietly. "Most likely she'll settle near Dober and wait."
That possibility required caution.
"Dober is slightly closer to the inside. When establishing position, she must ensure she doesn't get pinned behind She's Princess. If her acceleration lane is blocked in the final stretch, even superior ability won't matter."
No matter how confident he was in Dober's strength, Shuta had no intention of allowing preventable variables to interfere.
Finally, he looked at Catherine Wood in gate 4. A two-length debut winner over 1200 meters. Promising—but not particularly threatening in his evaluation.
"She might contest mid-pack positioning," he considered. "But 1600 meters at Hanshin is a different test entirely. Whether she adapts remains uncertain."
After reviewing every relevant factor, Dober's tactical outline became perfectly clear in his mind.
She would not fight for the front. Nor would she linger at the tail. The optimal slot was mid-pack—around fifth. Super Dress would stretch the field early. Dober would conserve, observe, and wait.
Entering the final turn, she would begin her gradual advance.
Then, on Hanshin's finishing straight, she would release everything she had conserved—unfolding her speed in a single decisive surge and overtaking them all.
Shuta leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, satisfaction evident on his face.
"The script for victory is already written," he said softly. "Now it depends on her execution."
—
That evening, he left work unusually on time. As he headed toward the parking lot—intending to drive to the hospital to visit Silence Suzuka—he was stopped by Mejiro Ramonu.
"Shuta-kun, do you have a moment?"
He glanced at his phone. If he wanted uninterrupted time alone with Suzuka, he could spare no more than ten minutes here.
"What's the matter?"
"It's about this Sunday's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. About Dober." Ramonu bowed slightly.
Shuta narrowed his eyes. "The Mejiro Family isn't trying to prevent her from running, are they?"
"Of course not!" Ramonu reacted immediately. "It's a G1. No matter what, we would never stand in the way of Dober pursuing such an honor."
"Then what is it?"
Before she could elaborate, Shuta's thoughts ran ahead of him.
Could they be short on funds? Are they planning a celebration but lacking the budget?
Instead of answering directly, Ramonu asked, "In your assessment, what are Dober's chances this time?"
"If she performs at her normal level?" Shuta answered without hesitation. "One hundred percent."
Relief softened Ramonu's expression.
"In that case—On Sunday, Grandmother and I would like to invite you to watch the race with us at Hanshin. She hopes to meet you as well."
"The old Madam wishes to see me?" Shuta was genuinely surprised. In the Dream World, Madam Kitano had never regarded him highly. Even in reality, their interactions had been limited. A direct invitation was unexpected.
"I don't know her specific intention," Ramonu admitted with a faint shrug. "I was only asked to extend the invitation. If anything makes you uncomfortable, you may refuse. I assure you it will not affect the relationship between you and the Mejiro Family."
"When an elder extends an invitation, declining without reason would be discourteous," Shuta replied after brief consideration. "I'll attend on Sunday. If it isn't a matter of principle, I'm open to discussion."
Ramonu bowed deeply. "Thank you."
Though she did not know her grandmother's true purpose, she believed the meeting would benefit the Mejiro Family.
It was a pity she had tried several times to probe for details, only to be met with silence.
Because Mejiro Dober needed to enter the Uma Musume waiting room early Sunday morning, Shuta An accompanied her to Kansai on Saturday evening. The Shinkansen carried them swiftly from Tokyo to Takarazuka City, where Hanshin Racecourse stood quiet in anticipation of the following day's G1.
There was little conversation during the ride. None was necessary.
After escorting Dober to Hanshin Racecourse to complete the necessary pre-race formalities, Shuta watched her disappear into the restricted area. Only when she was fully out of sight did he turn and leave.
Three kilometers away, at the Wakami Hotel—reserved in advance—he would spend the night alone.
Despite its name, Hanshin Racecourse was not located in Osaka City, but in Takarazuka, a place famous for its hot springs. The Wakami Hotel's pride was its private in-room baths. Miss Grace, thoughtful as always, had booked a single room equipped with its own hot spring pool.
Shuta could not help but feel a quiet appreciation for her consideration.
After checking in, he showered quickly, then wrapped a towel around himself and stepped into the steaming private bath.
The warmth rose around him, dissolving the fatigue of travel.
"It's a pity the others all have their own schedules," he murmured to himself. "For the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, only Dober and I made the trip. If I'd booked more rooms, everyone could have enjoyed this."
The thought lingered briefly before fading into the steam.
Later, lying on the bed in the dimly lit room, he picked up his phone. It was the final night before the race. Public opinion would be at its peak.
As expected, headlines overflowed with praise.
"Overseas G1 winner returns to claim domestic crown."
"Mejiro Dober—unbeatable?"
He frowned faintly.
"They're all blindly praising her," he muttered.
To outsiders, it was momentum. To him, it was pressure.
If Dober won, the narrative would crown her.
If she lost, the same voices would sharpen without mercy.
He had already resolved that he would shield her from the worst of any backlash. Still, no matter how much he prepared himself, he could not fully control how such pressure might affect her state of mind.
"The only real solution," he thought calmly, "is not to lose."
He had optimized every variable within his control. Conditioning cycles, pace simulations, psychological preparation—nothing had been left to chance.
"If that still isn't enough—" He exhaled slowly. "Then it simply wasn't our day."
For now, he would trust her.
Sleep eventually overtook him.
When his consciousness shifted, he found himself in the Dream World—standing inside the waiting room of Hanshin Racecourse.
Tomorrow night, he would be here again. But not with Mejiro Dober.
In the Dream World's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, his partner would be Disco Hall of Shadai Race Horse Club.
He closed his eyes briefly, recalling the field.
"The opposition is strong," he admitted inwardly. "Disco Hall's winning probability isn't high."
Most notably—Nishino Flower.
Three consecutive victories since debut. The Hanshin Juvenile Fillies would be her fourth start.
"Her jockey isn't exceptional," Shuta analyzed coldly. "But the horse herself is formidable."
He had even considered attempting to secure her primary riding rights. However, Shadai had already extended the invitation for him to ride Disco Hall, and Nishino Flower's current jockey, Masao Sato, had made no tactical errors. There was no legitimate opening to exploit.
After weighing every factor, he abandoned the idea.
That night in the Dream World, Hanshin hosted only allowance races. Shuta participated in six.
He won five.
Back in the jockey's lounge after the final race, he leaned against the locker and allowed himself a quiet calculation.
"Just over thirty wins left until JRA 400."
There had been rewards at 100, 200, and 300 victories—modest, but tangible.
"What about 400?" he wondered aloud.
Still, it would likely not occur until early next year. He dismissed the thought for now.
—
Morning arrived.
Shuta reached Hanshin Racecourse early, the air crisp but not harsh. At the agreed location, Mejiro Ramonu was already waiting. Composed as ever, she greeted him and led him through the internal corridors toward the Mejiro Family's private box.
"The annual rent for these must be substantial," Shuta remarked casually. "I usually only use connection-based VIP rooms."
"It's manageable," Ramonu replied with a faint shrug. "Though it's still eight figures in yen per year. But it's a necessary expense."
Necessary.
Prestige demanded visibility.
Shuta understood the unspoken weight behind her words. The Mejiro Family maintained private boxes at several major racecourses. Even a distinguished lineage felt financial strain under such obligations.
He himself was not lacking in funds—but he had no interest in renting permanent boxes. As a Trainer, he attended primarily when his Uma Musume raced. In those cases, VIP access was already granted.
A private box was status.
Not necessity.
He followed Ramonu inside.
Seated at the center of the sofa was the Mejiro Family's matriarch.
She did not rise. She simply looked up, appraised him calmly, and inclined her head.
"Welcome, Dober's Trainer."
"I am honored to receive Madam Kitano's invitation," Shuta replied, bowing slightly before taking the guest seat.
(I don't know if I should change this to Mejiro Asama since she could be considered as a Patriarch in their bloodline. But knowing this family didn't rely solely on Umamusume's interest, I just decided to keep it as Madam Kitano since she was the owner of Mejiro Ranch)
Ramonu moved quietly—retrieving sparkling water from the refrigerator, then preparing tea for her grandmother.
One by one, the other Mejiro Family Uma Musume who had been present excused themselves and departed.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The box, once mildly crowded, became still.
Only Shuta and the old woman remained seated across from one another.
He chose directness.
"May I ask what Madam Kitano wished to discuss?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly, voice steady and unhurried.
"This is the first time a Mejiro Family Uma Musume has challenged the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. And Dober is the first among us to win an overseas G1. Both emotionally and logically, I must properly thank you."
"There is nothing to thank," Shuta answered calmly. "Dober's victories are my honor as well. As her Trainer, I simply fulfill my responsibility."
A faint smile appeared on the old woman's lips.
"I expected someone who trained in America to be more flamboyant," she said. "It seems I misjudged. Your parents must have been very gentle people."
The air shifted.
Shuta lowered his gaze briefly and gave a soft, awkward laugh.
"Ah…perhaps."
Ramonu, who had been listening closely, leaned toward her grandmother and whispered a reminder about Shuta's family circumstances.
The old woman paused, then inclined her upper body slightly forward.
"I apologize. I was not careful."
"It's nothing," Shuta replied quickly, waving his hand lightly. "There is no need to apologize."
He smiled—measured, polite—doing his best to prevent the room from tipping into discomfort.
Outside, the distant murmur of the racecourse crowd grew louder. Inside, the real conversation had not yet begun.
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