Chapter 39. Dober and Teio Chase Data
As Japanese Oaks week arrived, unlike last year, Team Sadalsuud had no participating Uma Musume this time around.
As a result, in the real world, Shuta An's focus remained fixed on Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober, with slightly more attention devoted to Tokai Teio. After all, the Japanese Derby was next week, and the final entry list was gradually taking shape. The young man had already begun researching what tactics Tokai Teio should employ from each possible gate position.
In the Dream World, however, Shuta An's racing pressure was considerably greater.
After all, this Sunday he would be partnering with Vega in a challenge against the undefeated Mare Triple Crown.
As for Hokuto Vega, although Shuta An had advised that she was not particularly suited for turf racing, there were currently no appropriate dirt races available for her. Consequently, the stable continued to use Yutaka Take. Nevertheless, Trainer Nakano made a promise that whenever Hokuto Vega entered a dirt race in the future, Shuta An would definitely be offered the mount.
After all, when it came to dirt-racing achievements, the young man who held the American Triple Crown could arguably be considered the greatest in Japanese history.
"In any case, I'll have to see how Hokuto Vega performs in domestic dirt races. If she can win—no, she has to win convincingly—only then will I have the confidence to suggest trying America."
If a dirt specialist wanted to compete overseas at this point in time, America was essentially the only option.
And America's level of dirt racing was naturally the highest in the world.
If Hokuto Vega could finish among the top five there, she would instantly become a national hero.
"This world..." Walking down the street, Shuta An muttered to himself. "They say the economy has recovered, but I don't feel it at all."
As a jockey, he belonged to a profession that earned excellent money, so he had no concerns regarding finances in the Dream World.
Yet the more he looked at the ordinary citizens around him, the more he understood why racecourses were packed every weekend.
—
Wednesday.
Shuta An arrived at Central Tracen Academy unusually early that day.
Tokai Teio was scheduled for a pre-Japanese Derby workout, while Mejiro Dober was scheduled for a pre-Yasuda Kinen workout.
This time, Shuta An intended to do something extravagant.
He planned to record Tokai Teio's and Mejiro Dober's workouts together.
Since the URA Association introduced the workout-recording system, having two multiple-G1-winning Uma Musume work together was not unprecedented.
However, the last person who had arranged something like this was Shuta himself.
At that time, the participants had been Oguri Cap and Silence Suzuka.
Although Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio could not yet be compared with their senior teammates, the combination of an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume and a Satsuki Sho-winning Uma Musume still attracted considerable attention.
Even the URA Association's recording staff were startled when they saw the submission list.
They had assumed the two would perform separate workouts.
"If one side performs poorly during the workout, it could affect her mentality and make fans outside more pessimistic."
One member of the production staff even offered this advice to Shuta An.
However, the young man merely waved his hand dismissively.
"That's not a problem."
Was it really a problem? Perhaps it would have been in the past.
But now, both Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio possessed ample confidence in themselves and in each other.
Furthermore, Shuta An had no intention of letting either of them exert their full strength during the workout.
Therefore, he did not believe a single recorded session could negatively affect either Mejiro Dober or Tokai Teio.
That morning, shortly before filming was set to begin, Shuta An stood before the two Uma Musume and gave his instructions.
"For this workout, we'll use the woodchip track. Distance: 1200 meters. This time, Teio goes first, and Dober follows behind."
The two Uma Musume nodded in understanding.
According to Shuta An's plans for their upcoming races, Tokai Teio would naturally continue using a classic senko strategy, while Mejiro Dober would continue employing a stalking style.
"Teio will start one second ahead of Dober. Neither of you should go all out. Fifty percent effort is enough."
As he spoke, Shuta An glanced specifically toward Tokai Teio.
Compared with Mejiro Dober, he was more concerned about Tokai Teio's control.
On one hand, Tokai Teio was highly competitive.
On the other hand, he worried that she might struggle psychologically if she felt another Uma Musume closing in from behind.
"After all, her race experience is still too shallow."
The young man sighed inwardly.
However, when Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober crossed the finish line side by side, all of his concerns immediately vanished.
"Have I not been paying enough attention to Teio's training recently?"
He raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself.
"Although Dober caught up near the finish, Teio didn't feel pressured at all. She maintained her own rhythm from start to finish and ran exactly according to my instructions."
Shuta An had never seen this level of composure from Tokai Teio before.
Today was the first time.
However, instead of immediately going over to greet the two Uma Musume, Shuta An headed toward a small hut beside the training grounds to review the workout data.
"Tokai Teio: 6F84.8 — 68.3 — 53.3 — 38.6 — 11.6"
"Mejiro Dober: 6F83.8 — 68.8 — 53.9 — 37.2 — 11.2"
"Looking at the data, Teio's sectional times are still better."
Shuta An quickly reached a conclusion.
"But that's only natural. Her race is a week earlier, so her physical condition is being adjusted toward peak form sooner."
—
After handing the workout data over to the URA Association staff, Shuta An turned toward the NHK documentary crew.
As usual, they had arrived to film.
The director stepped forward.
"Shuta Trainer, how are the two Uma Musume looking today?"
"Both are excellent."
As he answered, Shuta An casually began walking toward the two girls.
"I think Teio is already prepared for next week's Japanese Derby."
"The more I observe her condition, the more confidence I gain. However, today's Tokai Teio is definitely not at her absolute best. As her Trainer, my responsibility is to ensure she saves her peak condition for next Sunday."
Upon arriving before Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober, Shuta An clapped his hands and praised both of them before sending them off to rest.
To the documentary crew's surprise, however, he did not leave the training grounds together with them.
Instead, he headed toward the Slope Road section and stood quietly near the exit.
Only after waiting for another minute did Rice Shower finally enter his field of vision.
"Considering that Rice Shower will be making her Twinkle Series debut this year, I've arranged for her to train on Slope Road twice a week during this period to build strength. However, the intensity of each session isn't particularly high. It's roughly four furlongs in sixty seconds."
The director immediately followed up.
"So Shuta Trainer is waiting here specifically to greet Rice Shower?"
"Exactly."
Shuta An turned toward the director and nodded with satisfaction.
"Although everyone's attention is currently focused on Teio and Dober, as a Trainer, I can't neglect the other Uma Musume on the team."