A mock race was hastily organized, but even a mock race is still a race. A sense of excitement welled up inside me as I thought about my own Uma Musume running.
Two girls from my stable, Urara and Rice, would be participating. For Rice, it might be a good tune-up before the Arima Kinen. However, since Rice isn't particularly good at mile races, it might be more of a change of pace than a serious adjustment.
For Urara, it would be a disadvantage since it's a turf race, but the opportunity to run in a full-gate race is a valuable one. Also, nearly two months have passed since her last race, so I wanted her to remember the feeling of racing.
The distance for this mock race is 1600 meters, a length chosen to match the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. The course has a different incline than the Hanshin Racecourse, but it will be good practice.
Urara is participating purely for experience. As for Rice... well, I can see from a distance that she's brimming with motivation. I told her to run at 70-80% effort, but she might go all out.
However, I've already instructed her to run with 70-80% of her strength. Whether Rice listens to me or not might depend on how much she trusts me.
In other words, it's also a measure of how much Rice agrees with my training policy. The intensity of her passion for racing, her pride as a G1 Uma Musume—this race will show how heavily those factors weigh on her.
I believe I've built a good relationship with Rice, just like with Urara. Is that just my own conceit, or does Rice truly understand me?
As I was lost in these thoughts, the voice of a commentator suddenly echoed through the practice course for some reason.
『Under the winter sky as dusk approaches, the mock race on the Tracen Academy turf course is about to begin. It's called the Rice Cup. The distance is 1600 meters. The track condition appears to be good.』
「Huh? Where did you come from? And aren't you from Spica?」
『Aan?! Not knowing Golshi-chan is grounds for being fired as a Tracen Academy trainer! I'm here to commentate 'cause this looks interesting!』
Before I knew it, a beautiful gray Uma Musume I'd seen a few times before had set up a microphone and was getting ready to commentate. Seriously, where did this girl come from?
「Well... if it looks interesting, why don't you join in...」
『Golshi doesn't have that much motivation.』
「Which is it, Golshi-chan?」
As I instinctively retorted, the self-proclaimed Golshi-chan's eyes sparkled.
『Ho... that was a good comeback, you. Last time I saw you, you had eyes like a dead "Kururupo sso," but you've become a decent-looking trainer now. Alright, I'll give you the right to be the commentator's assistant next to this Gold Ship-sama.』
「What's a "Kururupo sso"...」
『It's something that doesn't exist in this world! Alright, are you all ready? The mock race is about to begin!』
Gold Ship, or Golshi-chan, began to take charge as if she owned the place. My face became unreadable, but Urara, Rice, and the other Uma Musume began to enter the gates with serious expressions.
Perhaps sensing the seriousness of the Uma Musume, Gold Ship cleared her throat once and then began to speak in a strangely pleasant voice.
『Gate 1, Stall 1, Venabalam. Gate 1, Stall 2, Multisale Call. Gate 2, Stall 3, Ribbon Mazurka...』
Gold Ship called out the names of the race participants like a professional commentator. How does she know all their names without a race card?
Unlike a real race, she was just calling out the names of everyone who had already entered the gates in order, but even that was enough to make the Uma Musume flick a switch inside them.
『Gate 4, Stall 7, Happy Meak. Gate 4, Stall 8, Rice Shower.』
The gate order was decided by a fair lottery. As a result, Rice was next to Happy Meak by some strange twist of fate.
『Gate 6, Stall 11, Haru Urara. Gate 6, Stall 12, Unchanging...』
Urara is in stall 11. However, since Urara has never raced with more than nine other horses before, I have no idea how this race will turn out.
『...Gate 8, Stall 18, Imperial Talis. All horses are in the gate—and they're off!』
With a clatter, the gates opened. At the same time, the Uma Musume leaped out in a horizontal line—ah, Urara got off to a slow start.
『Oh, Haru Urara in 11, a slow start. The other Uma Musume had a clean start. The one who shot out first is Sold Out in 10. A body length behind, Bridge Comp in 4, Tomoe Nage in 5, Spring Happy in 9, Viper Pierce in 15, and Yuiitsumuni in 17 are in pursuit. Two body lengths back, Happy Meak in 7, Rice Shower in 8, and Imperial Talis in 18 form a group. Two body lengths behind them, Venabalam in 1, Ribbon Mazurka in 3, Feel Freude in 16, and slightly behind, Multisale Call in 2 and Stay Charlene in 14. Albedo Belladonna in 6, Unchanging in 12, and Fun Ahab in 13 are in the rear. Haru Urara in 11 is running far behind in last place.』
Each of them ran with their preferred strategy, and a tactical battle began as they tried to secure a favorable position. Only Urara was in last place due to her slow start, but she wasn't left behind by the pursuit-style Uma Musume and was following along properly.
『Now, they're approaching the first corner. Sold Out in 10 is still in the lead. The leading group is changing positions with each other, eyeing the lead. Happy Meak is at the front of the front runners... hmm, I see. That's nasty. Behind her, the group enters the corner, subtly changing their positions. Where will the rear group make their move?』
There was a strange mutter for a moment, but Gold Ship's commentary was impressive. The Uma Musume were as motivated as they would be in a real race.
And, when did the number of spectators outside the course increase? They were all listening to Gold Ship's commentary and starting to cheer.
『The course at Tracen Academy is 1800 meters long per lap. The maximum width is about 10 meters, so it's a bit narrow. Positioning will be important. Now, Sold Out in 10 is the first to come out of the first corner. She's running down the straight towards the next corner. What do you think, An-chan, the commentator's assistant?』
『Don't just shove the mic in my face... well, since it's 1600 meters, the first and last straights are a bit short. The key to victory will be how far ahead they can get on the last corner and their acceleration on the final straight.』
I found myself answering while watching the race as Gold Ship suddenly thrust a microphone at me.
『One after another, they come out of the corner and enter the straight. Is someone going to make a move soon... Oh! Unchanging in 12 makes her move here! Has she gone into a rage?! She's gradually accelerating from almost the very back! Can she last with a long spurt like this?!』
『A long spurt from that position will be tough. They're not even halfway through yet... but if she can last, that's impressive. Oh, maybe influenced by 12, the rear group is gradually accelerating. 1600 meters is long, but it's also short. It seems they've started to make their move before the final corner.』
『While we're talking, the front runners are also picking up the pace! Sold Out in 10 is still in the lead! But is she struggling a bit? Her legs are slowing down!』
『I hope she doesn't get injured... Oh, Tomoe Nage in 5 is moving up here.』
I had somehow started using the other microphone Gold Ship had prepared, and we were commentating together.
『Did Sold Out go out too fast?! She's falling back! Taking her place are Tomoe Nage in 5 and Spring Happy in 9! They're fighting each other to take the lead, but can they get away? The corners are still coming up!』
『The curves on the Tracen Academy course are gentle. You have to be careful not to expand your path too much, but it's a course where you can easily pick up speed. How well they can run the corners will depend on the results of their daily training.』
As I spoke, my gaze was fixed on Rice. The front runners were desperately trying to get away, but I could see Happy Meak gradually accelerating behind them—and Rice was marking her perfectly.
And then, I understood what Gold Ship's earlier mutter meant.
（That must be a lot of pressure for Happy Meak... And Rice, her speed aside, the way she's applying pressure is pretty serious.）
In the way Rice was chasing Happy Meak, there was no trace of her usual timidness. Her eyes were gleaming like a carnivore stalking its prey, as if she would cut in and pass at any moment.
She would occasionally make her footsteps louder as if to say, "I'm right behind you," and when Happy Meak tried to slow down, Rice would ease her pace as if she saw through it, and if she tried to pull away, Rice would immediately accelerate.
However, as I watched Rice's form, my cheeks relaxed slightly. It was because she was consciously running in the form I had been correcting, perhaps because she wasn't going all out. She was careful not to put too much strain on one side of her body while maintaining enough speed to corner Happy Meak.
And perhaps overwhelmed by Rice's pressure, Happy Meak made a move.
『Oh! Happy Meak in 7 suddenly moves up! Rice Shower in 8 accelerates to chase her! She's passing three, four, five people at once from the front of the middle group! Before we can say she can pass the leader, Tomoe Nage, she has passed her! Happy Meak is in the lead! It's Happy Meak! She's coming out of the corner and entering the final straight!』
『That's a great burst of speed... It must be the result of Kiryuin-san's training. Her cornering is also clean; she's barely expanded her path at all.』
While praising Happy Meak, my gaze was on Rice. Happy Meak's run was certainly magnificent, but Happy Meak herself must have been the one who understood best that it wasn't working.
She was sweating and gasping for air as she tried to shake off Rice, but Happy Meak must have been bothered by the sound of footsteps right behind her.
『Now for the final 200 meters! Can Happy Meak hold on and escape?! The Kikuka Sho Uma Musume, Rice Shower, is right on her tail!』
『Happy Meak's last spurt is also amazing... Her tenacity not to lower her head is also good. This is nice... As for Urara, ah, she's in a fight for the very last place... hmm?』
Huh? Something's wrong... before I could finish that thought, Rice made her move.
『Here comes Rice Shower! She's alongside Happy Meak with 100 meters to go! Side by side—and she's passed her! What incredible legs, Rice Shower! She's extending her lead over Happy Meak by one, two body lengths! This must be it!』
（Yeah! Go, Riceeeeeee! Just like that! Just like that... GOOOOAAAAL!）
I couldn't exactly shout into the microphone, so I cheered inwardly. Mile races aren't her specialty, but the fact that she could pass with such ease shows the difference between junior and classic grade. No, I guess it's also a testament to Rice's own ability.
As far as I could see, Rice didn't use her top speed. She probably applied pressure to make Happy Meak panic and then passed her with about 80% of her strength, just as I had instructed.
However, the fighting spirit Rice showed was genuine. In other words, Rice still has room to improve. And since this was a mile race, which she's not good at, how much faster could she be if she was serious?
I shuddered as I realized anew just how amazing the G1 stage was—the Kikuka Sho, a race where Rice had fought with everything she had and finally won first place.
『First place is Rice Shower in 8! Second place is Happy Meak in 7, three body lengths back! Then, five body lengths behind, third place is Albedo Belladonna in 6! Unchanging in 12 jumps into fourth place, one body length behind! Slightly behind, fifth place is Tomoe Nage in 5!』
With a five-body-length gap to third place, Happy Meak's ability is probably a cut above her peers. But she couldn't beat Rice. Was it unfair to a junior grade Uma Musume? Of course I'm happy because my Uma Musume won.
（Oh, and Urara is... huh?）
I managed to suppress my excitement and looked for Urara. It was a mile race, but 1600 meters was within Urara's stamina limit. However, she got off to a slow start and it was a turf race.
I thought she was running at the back, but I couldn't see Urara.
『Now, the remaining Uma Musume are running hard toward the goal! Here comes a particularly impressive acceleration from Haru Urara in 11! It's Haru Urara! She's moving up from the back! But everyone left is in their final spurt! How much can she extend?!』
Urara was running down the final straight. She was running in a horizontal line with the other Uma Musume, but she was still running.
『A fierce battle! Do-goon! The last group crosses the finish line! Uh... the order of finish is 10th to 18th place: 3, 2, 11, 10, 17, 18, 16, 1, 13! A nose, nose, nose, nose, nose, neck, nose, nose difference between them!』
「Golshi-chan, that's amazing?!」
I was only watching Urara, but for her to know the finishing order so accurately means this girl is truly something else... Wait, Urara in 11th place is 12th? In a turf race? After a slow start? If she hadn't gotten off to a slow start, she might have placed in the top 7 or 8, even if she didn't win, right?
If the distance were any longer, her stamina would be questionable, but perhaps she could aim for a place in turf races of shorter distances. No, given this result in a mock race with her peers, maybe that's a bit too optimistic?
As I was lost in thought, my body moved on its own. First, I ran to Rice, who had won first place, and immediately began to check her condition.
「You did great, Rice! You're amazing after all! Congratulations on first place!」
Yes, before I started checking on her, I praised Rice to the high heavens. Checking is important, but so is praising, and I wanted to praise her. I wanted to lift her up and hug her, but I restrained myself because of the crowd.
Rice smiled bashfully.
「Thank you, Trainer. Rice did her best, didn't she? Thanks to you, I feel like it's a little easier to run than before.」
Even Rice must be tired... wait? This girl, she's sweating, but she doesn't look tired... and she's not even breathing hard.
I was secretly terrified as I checked Rice's condition. I did a quick body check, and she was in a state not much different from a normal training session. As I thought, she didn't run at full strength.
Perhaps the potential of the Uma Musume named Rice Shower is higher than I thought.
「From how you were acting before the race, I thought you might run at full strength... Rice, it seems I underestimated you. I'm sorry.」
When I lowered my head, Rice looked at me with a bewildered expression. But she quickly smiled and nodded.
「Rice doesn't want to be thought of as a bad girl by Trainer and Urara-chan... or I'll be punished again, right?」
「Please stop saying things that'll be misunderstood if others hear them. Seriously, please...」
She even had enough energy to make a joke right after the race. The fact that she seemed so satisfied was probably because she won first place without going all out.
「Pant... pant... Rice, Rice Shower-san... you were amazing... This is what a G1 Uma Musume is...」
In contrast to Rice, Happy Meak was breathing heavily. The usually quiet Happy Meak was supporting her body with her hands on her knees, exhaling rough breaths.
「Happy Meak-san was amazing, too... but it was a mistake to panic in the middle of the race, wasn't it?」
「That was... I panicked... You were right behind me the whole time... and your footsteps sounded so loud...」
「I'm sorry, Happy Meak-san. But if you were able to get a little feel for the G1 atmosphere from this, then Rice is happy. I was serious, but I'm sorry I couldn't run at full strength.」
「I got a great feeling for it...」
There was an Uma Musume who gave a junior-grade Uma Musume the kind of pressure that comes with a G1 race, not just any G1, but a G1 for a classic triple crown contender. And that was my Uma Musume. Moreover, from what Rice said, it seems she wasn't at full strength, just as I had thought.
I thought she went too far, but Happy Meak was trembling, yet her eyes were burning with fighting spirit. It seems her spirit wasn't broken in the slightest; it was spurred on.
I guess that's what you'd expect from an Uma Musume being trained by Kiryuin-san. I have a desire to train her, too. Is that because I'm becoming a trainer myself?
Of course, with Urara and Rice, I'm already overloaded. Even if I think it would be nice, I probably can't actually train a new Uma Musume. If I did, I probably wouldn't get by with just staying up all night, and Urara and Rice's training would become insufficient.
As I was talking to Rice and Happy Meak, Urara, who was out of breath, ran over to us.
「Pant... pant... ah, that was fun! Trainer, did you watch?」
「Of course. Getting 12th place in a turf race is impressive. But it would've been better if you hadn't gotten off to a slow start.」
「Ehehe... My feet slipped when I tried to start fast!」
Urara said it so cheerfully, but her final spurt was an impressive burst of acceleration. I really regretted her slow start.
「But you know, running on the final straight was so much fun!」
「I bet it was... The final straight gets a perfect 100 points!」
「Yay! A perfect score!」
When I said that and patted her head, Urara beamed and wagged her tail back and forth. She looked so happy and so pleased that it was a real treat to pat her head.
（But I guess it's a luxury to hope she'd be disappointed about losing, even if it was a mock race... No, Urara showed a better-than-expected run. Asking for more than that would be greedy.）
As I thought that, I looked around and saw the girls who were passed by Urara on the final straight looking disappointed. At the same time, I also saw several Uma Musume looking at Rice with sparkling eyes.
「Ri, Rice Shower-san! Your run just now was so amazing!」
「I was happy to hear I'd be able to run with a Kikuka Sho Uma Musume, but wow, I really understand the difference in level now. Someone who can win a G1 is amazing. Oh, sorry for the late congratulations, but congratulations on winning the Kikuka Sho!」
「Meak-chan too, but I was passed before I even realized it... It's kind of depressing... but it was amazing...」
The Uma Musume surrounded Rice, their eyes shining as they pressed in on her. There was the frustration of losing the race, but even more, there was the excitement of having directly experienced Rice's running.
「Ah... ah... Trainer, Urara-chan, help me...」
Rice, having lost the aura she had during the race, asked me and Urara for help, overwhelmed by the Uma Musume surrounding her. However, I was happy to see that scene.
As Uma Musume who ran with her, they must understand just how amazing Rice is. Her opponent was originally an older, more established competitor, and she has the title of a G1 champion.
I could see their strong will to understand their current ability and use it to improve. At the same time, their attitude of praising a faster, victorious Uma Musume as a fellow competitor made me happy.
（Everyone is raising their Uma Musume with love and conviction... I can't fall behind.）
I don't know if I should call it lucky, but my peers seem to be raising their Uma Musume with love and conviction. Compared to them, I happened to meet Rice and become her trainer, which is why I won first place in this mock race.
That was because Rice was excellent, not because of my achievements. Urara, whom I am training from scratch, lost to many of the Uma Musume my peers are training, partly because it was a turf race and she got a slow start.
There's a saying, "tighten your helmet strings after winning a battle." Rice is great and amazing for winning without going all out, and I'll praise her properly later, but it's only natural for Rice to win against junior-grade Uma Musume.
And even if the problems with Rice's running style were getting better, it doesn't mean there are no issues with her running itself.
In this mock race, as in the Kikuka Sho, Rice ran by marking the Uma Musume who looked like they would win first place and then passed them on the final straight to win.
In the Kikuka Sho, there was Mihono Bourbon, a top contender who was undefeated and aiming for the Triple Crown. She was a strong opponent whom you could confidently mark.
In this mock race as well, there was Happy Meak, a junior-grade Uma Musume who was a cut above her peers. That's why I could answer Rice immediately when she asked me what to do.
In other words, in the races Rice will be running in from now on, it will be extremely important who I have Rice mark. And that will depend not only on Rice's actual running but also on how well I, as her trainer, can gather and analyze information about her rival Uma Musume.
It's a little—no, to be honest, it's a lot of pressure. It's on me whether or not I can lead a wonderful Uma Musume like Rice to victory.
And with Urara also needing my attention, I now understand why trainers in the central league are so well-paid. Of course they get paid well and there's a shortage of people.
As I thought about that, I turned my gaze away from reality and looked into the distance. I was curious to know where Gold Ship, who had been commentating with me, had gone.
It seemed Gold Ship was satisfied with the race and was walking away with her back to me. However, she must have noticed my gaze, because she raised her left hand without turning around and pointed at a single spot.
（...Hmm? Is that...）
I followed her gaze and thought I saw a familiar Uma Musume among the spectators. The girl with the somewhat mechanical hair ornament, even though she was an Uma Musume—
「Hey, hey, Trainer! What's next? Are we going to race again? How about a dirt race this time?」
Urara pulled on my sleeve, and my gaze returned. There was Urara's smiling face, her eyes sparkling with excitement, but I looked at Happy Meak, who was still breathing heavily.
「I'm sorry... I, I'm a little tired today...」
「Aww... but, okay! You can't overdo it!」
Urara looked a little disappointed but immediately smiled and nodded. Good girl, Urara.
Afterward, I asked my peers, but they all declined, saying the outcome would be obvious on a dirt track.
Days later, when Happy Meak won first place in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, she was asked a question during an interview.
「This was your first G1 race. Were you nervous?」
Happy Meak smiled faintly as she answered.
「—I've had a race with a very strong person and a lot of tension before.」
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