Chapter 36. Post-Race Interview and a Useful New Skill
When Shuta An and Rice Shower arrived before the grandstand, the scene differed greatly from the previous year's Kikuka Sho.
After Rice Shower had fully settled down, the experienced spectators gradually offered their applause.
The favorite, Mejiro McQueen, had been defeated. The historic achievement everyone had hoped to witness had failed to materialize. Naturally, many in the crowd felt disappointed.
Yet Rice Shower had shattered the Spring Tenno Sho race record with a time of 3:16.1.
More importantly, he had left Mejiro McQueen, the runner-up, a full three lengths behind.
With a performance like that, nobody could honestly claim that the winner had relied on luck.
After raising a fist toward the grandstand, a radiant smile spread across Shuta An's face as he guided Rice Shower into the underground passage.
The Groom's expression was even more explosive than his own.
When he stepped forward to take the reins, he opened his mouth several times before ultimately finding no words at all. In the end, he simply lowered his head and walked ahead in silence.
After handing over the reins, Shuta An remained seated in the saddle. Holding the whip loosely in his left hand, he rode steadily forward while singing loudly.
"Hmm Hummm"
The reporters and racing personnel waiting in the underground passage all heard his voice.
"He isn't even singing off-key without accompaniment."
Some people looked genuinely surprised.
The jockeys, however, were completely unsurprised.
After all, anyone who had ever gone to karaoke with Shuta An had already experienced this before.
—
"We are the champions!"
As Trainer Iizuka Yoshitsugu and Rice Shower's Horse Owner arrived in the underground passage, Shuta An dismounted and immediately sang another line.
"Yes, we are the champions!"
Trainer Iizuka Yoshitsugu was visibly excited.
This was only the second G1 victory of his career.
Had someone told him a year earlier that Rice Shower would become a multiple G1 winner, he would never have believed it.
"Then I can take Rice Shower overseas now, right?"
Standing before everyone, Shuta An looked directly at the Horse Owner and asked the question he cared about most.
"Of course."
This time, Rice Shower's Horse Owner answered without hesitation.
There was simply no longer any reason to object.
Domestic prize money was certainly generous, but races such as the Melbourne Cup offered even greater rewards than the Spring Tenno Sho.
Furthermore, if Rice Shower remained in Japan, many of the races available to him would inevitably clash with Tokai Teio's schedule. Without Shuta An available as his regular jockey, winning would become considerably more difficult.
No matter how he looked at it, refusing the overseas campaign no longer made sense.
"Then I'll leave the expedition arrangements to Trainer Iizuka and Trainer Matsumoto."
Shuta An bowed slightly.
Picking up his exclusive riding gear, he turned and left.
The media area was already filled with impatient reporters waiting for him.
—
After returning his equipment to the jockey waiting room, Shuta An headed directly toward the media zone.
Over the years, the media in the Dream World had gradually been "trained" by him as well.
At the very least, they now understood his interview habits.
As expected, the first question came from a reporter representing the JRA publication Yushun.
"Shuta-san, how do you feel after personally destroying Mejiro McQueen's chance at achieving an undefeated Triple Crown?"
"The same as every other G1 victory." Shuta An's expression remained calm. "Before the race even started, I was already convinced that Rice Shower could win today."
—
"Will Rice Shower's next race be the Takarazuka Kinen?"
The second question was much more conventional.
"That depends on discussions between the Trainer and the Horse Owner."
Shuta An shrugged.
"But it probably won't be the Takarazuka Kinen."
He paused briefly.
"I'd rather see Rice Shower receive the opportunity to challenge an overseas long-distance G1."
—
"Shuta-san, who do you think is stronger, Rice Shower or Mejiro McQueen?"
The third reporter immediately dragged the conversation back to Mejiro McQueen.
Shuta An's mouth twitched slightly.
"The race result is right there." He pointed toward the racecourse. "Do I really need to answer a question like that?"
—
"What is Tokai Teio's next race?"
The next question was even more outrageous.
"Tokai Teio didn't race today, did he?" Shuta An raised an eyebrow. "Why are we suddenly talking about Teio?"
—
Finally, someone asked a question related to the race itself.
"Shuta-san, who would you like to thank for helping set a new Spring Tenno Sho race record today?"
"Senior Yamada Taisei." A smile appeared on Shuta An's face. "Without the pace he set, breaking the record would have been very difficult."
The answer sounded suspiciously like teasing.
Yet his tone was completely sincere.
—
When Shuta An woke up, he shook his head.
"Even though I already knew Rice Shower possessed tremendous talent for long-distance racing, overturning Mejiro McQueen still feels a little surprising."
Picking up his phone, he scrolled through article after article discussing Mejiro McQueen's Spring Tenno Sho victory from the previous day in the real world.
The corner of his mouth slowly lifted.
"Two more years."
After a quick wash, Shuta An immediately prepared to check the reward he had obtained from winning last night's race.
"The great achievement of an undefeated Triple Peat Spring Tenno Sho was personally shattered by you, and a new long-distance king has officially set sail.
Acquired Skill: Single-minded Rest
Effect: When there is no slow start or delay, stamina consumption is reduced upon entering the latter half of a long-distance race."
Upon reading the description, Shuta An's first reaction was immediate.
"Should I find a chance to trick Teio into kissing me?"
The thought flashed through his mind—
Then disappeared just as quickly.
Although he had already obtained Tokai Teio's training plan before, her long-distance aptitude remained the issue that worried him most.
If Tokai Teio successfully captured the Japanese Derby at the end of May, then during the summer break, Shuta An intended to devote the majority of his attention to improving her stamina and long-distance adaptability.
Now that he possessed this skill, his efficiency would undoubtedly increase.
Provided, of course, that he could successfully teach it to Tokai Teio.
"If Dober had learned this earlier—"
The thought surfaced naturally.
Turning his head, Shuta An looked toward Mejiro Dober, who was still sleeping peacefully on his bed.
Nowadays, Mejiro Dober stayed over once or twice every week.
Whenever she did, Oguri Cap and the others were remarkably generous about allowing her exclusive access to him.
"Speaking of which..."
Shuta An's thoughts suddenly drifted elsewhere.
"I remember seeing Dober posting her artwork on Twitter before."
Some comments had mentioned that her drawings of 1X scenes had improved significantly recently.
The young man narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Could it be...she gained practical experience here?"