Chapter 34. Respect Your Dream, Fulfill My Dream [Part 2]
Shuta An also noticed Mejiro Palmer's move to open up a one-length advantage.
However, he could not be bothered to pay much attention to Mejiro Palmer at the moment. There were far more important matters demanding his focus.
After Mejiro Palmer stretched the gap to one horse length over the runners behind him, the jockeys within the leading group reacted in completely different ways. Some immediately urged their mounts forward to keep pace, while others chose to maintain their current positions.
The result was immediate.
The leading group rapidly became scattered.
Once the field spread out and loosened, numerous pathways naturally opened up for advancing through the pack.
For someone like Shuta An, whose field of vision far exceeded that of ordinary jockeys, it was an opportunity that required almost no calculation.
As Rice Shower entered the turn, he quietly conveyed a subtle signal.
In response, the dark horse moved like a butterfly dancing among flowers, weaving through the gaps between runners with astonishing smoothness. Without encountering any obstruction, she advanced all the way into fourth position.
Ahead of her now were only Mejiro Palmer, Monsieur Siecle, and Mejiro McQueen.
Through the corner of his eye, Yutaka Take could already see Shuta An and Rice Shower arriving behind and slightly to his right.
Yet at this moment, he no longer felt concerned.
Good. Being watched was good.
Ann-san absolutely won't let Rice Shower move ahead of McQueen too early. Otherwise, the situation would reverse, and I'd become the one marking him. Maintaining the current formation is the most favorable outcome for both of us.
In this position, Shuta An could continue monitoring Mejiro McQueen.
At the same time, Yutaka Take could also keep constant track of Shuta An's movements, preventing himself from being caught off guard by any sudden maneuver.
As it happened, Shuta An was thinking along very similar lines.
He knew perfectly well that Yutaka Take would feel reassured simply because he could keep Rice Shower within sight.
But Shuta An did not mind.
Because he also knew something else.
Yutaka Take could not afford to devote all of his attention to him forever.
Once we complete a lap, Take-san will naturally have to focus entirely on preparing Mejiro McQueen's final charge.
That will be the best moment for him to move.
As he silently simulated the future development of the race in his mind, his gaze remained calm.
Unless something unexpected happens, this race will eventually become a direct duel between Take-san and me.
When Mejiro Palmer crossed the 1000-meter marker, the large screen immediately displayed the split time.
60.9 seconds.
"Considering this is a 3200-meter race, that can already be considered a fast pace."
Standing in the box, Iizuka Yoshitsugu raised an eyebrow.
"Shuta-kun and Rice Shower are following quite closely. They're exchanging stamina for positional advantage."
"Is it really okay to push like this?" Rice Shower's Horse Owner sounded visibly nervous. "The pace is already this fast—"
"Rice Shower isn't experiencing a fast-paced race for the first time. Trust him."
Iizuka Yoshitsugu turned his head.
"And if you can't trust Rice Shower, then at least trust Shuta-kun. If he can win here, I won't object to Rice Shower going overseas."
The Horse Owner lowered his voice.
"But if he can't even win the Spring Tenno Sho, then she probably won't be able to win abroad either."
Iizuka Yoshitsugu had no comment regarding that viewpoint. After all, the cost of any overseas campaign would ultimately be borne by the Horse Owner. As a Trainer, all he could do was silently cheer for both Rice Shower and Shuta An.
Meanwhile, Shuta An had also accurately judged the pace.
He had absolutely no intention of asking Rice Shower to slow down in order to conserve stamina.
In his view, Rice Shower's current position was ideal.
There was no reason to relinquish it.
Just stay steadily behind Mejiro McQueen.
That's enough.
As that thought crossed his mind, he gently increased the pressure from his hands.
After exiting Kyoto Racecourse's outer curve, the field approached the long straight that passed in front of the spectator boxes.
Shuta An had no special tactical arrangements for this section. He simply allowed Rice Shower to continue running according to his own rhythm.
It almost seemed as though Rice Shower possessed a natural affinity for Kyoto Racecourse.
Upon this turf, he ran with remarkable ease and freedom.
As they passed in front of the boxes, Shuta An briefly turned his head.
His gaze swept across the viewing area before shifting toward the giant screen positioned at the center of the racecourse.
After spotting himself within the broadcast image, he could not help but sigh inwardly.
Isn't this positioning absolutely perfect?
I've marked Mejiro McQueen, and I can pull out of the pack whenever I want. If I really wanted to, I could even move up early and directly box Mejiro McQueen in. This positioning is practically flawless.
—
Inside the Mejiro Family's box, the Old Madam shifted her gaze away from Mejiro McQueen and toward Rice Shower.
Her brows gradually furrowed.
With her decades of experience watching races, she sensed something subtle emanating from Rice Shower.
Something dangerous.
"Very dangerous—"
The Old Madam murmured quietly.
"Both Palmer and McQueen look to be in excellent condition today. It feels like we have a real chance of securing the top two positions."
A younger member of the family beside her spoke with obvious excitement.
"It won't be that easy."
Ikee Tairo stared intently at Yutaka Take's figure.
He did not respond directly. Instead, his thoughts churned silently.
Shuta-kun is right behind them. And he looks far too relaxed. He won't be easy to deal with.
Take-san—can you really keep your eyes on him the entire race?
Although Yutaka Take ranked only one position below Shuta An in the jockey standings, and securing either jockey was considered a tremendous guarantee for victory among Trainers, Ikee Tairo had heard countless stories from elite Trainers.
When it came to major races, Shuta An's performance was simply on another level.
Even without relying on hearsay, his results spoke for themselves. Throughout his G1 career, he had never once finished at the bottom.
Even his worst performances exceeded what most jockeys could achieve.
And now he's sitting right behind McQueen—
I really can't shake the feeling that after just a few whip strikes, Rice Shower will surge past and leave McQueen behind.
That possibility lingered heavily in Ikee Tairo's heart.
Although Matsumoto Shoichi did not have any racehorses participating in today's Spring Tenno Sho, he still made the trip to Kyoto Racecourse.
His purpose was to speak with Iizuka Yoshitsugu regarding future overseas expedition plans involving Rice Shower and Tokai Teio.
However, Iizuka Yoshitsugu simply informed him that such matters would need to be discussed together with Rice Shower's Horse Owner.
As a result, Matsumoto Shoichi received only a single answer.
"We'll discuss it after seeing the outcome of this race."
Left with no other choice, he could only remain there and watch.
"To be honest, Shuta-kun already told me that most overseas races suitable for Rice Shower can be arranged together with Teio's expedition schedule."
Matsumoto Shoichi continued trying to persuade the Horse Owner.
"If they travel separately, separate transport aircraft would need to be arranged. If they travel together, a considerable amount of money can be saved."
"Shadai has already indicated that their veterinarian can simultaneously oversee Rice Shower's condition during the expedition. That alone would reduce veterinary expenses significantly."
"First, he needs to win the Spring Tenno Sho." The Horse Owner remained unmoved. "Only after that can we discuss going abroad."
Even if it's for Shuta-kun's dream—
Matsumoto Shoichi lowered his gaze toward Rice Shower and Shuta An on the track.
I still hope you'll allow Rice Shower to accompany Tokai Teio overseas.
Regardless of the result.
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