So strong!
That was Stardust Illusion's first feeling in the race.
Though she had done a training race her first day at Central, that had been organized by Hushan Feihong for Miho Bourbon's sake, mainly to learn—most held back, only a handful of escape idiots threw themselves in.
This time was different. Every entrant was a top-class classic-grade runner, and with the French exchange slot on the line, this "internal" race was in essence no different from any public G1.
No one would come in playing around… Well—maybe.
Thinking of Gold Ship's grinning face in the gate, Stardust Illusion mentally corrected herself.
Even so, the pressure was real. Even though she and Miho Bourbon had used "Gritty Grounder" to fuse into a high-speed launch and hold the lead with ease, this was not "job done."
On the contrary, an itch like steel needles on her back grew more and more intense. Without looking, she knew the pressers were glued to them.
More importantly, according to the intel Hushan Feihong gathered, Taiki Shuttle, Mejiro McQueen, and Narita Brian all ran last-three "waves" faster than her test data.
In other words, if she simply clung to the lead and fought to the finish, she could easily be mowed down by one of them in the final kick.
On a short course, there is no second chance—if you're passed in the last, you're done.
Fortunately…
Tucked in behind Miho Bourbon, Stardust Illusion quietly exhaled.
She and the trainer had anticipated this. She did not think herself inferior in will, but as a newly debuted runner, her body was objectively a step below.
So what?
To answer that, Hushan Feihong had crafted a plan fitting Stardust Illusion and Miho Bourbon's styles and wishes.
Its name—Heartbreaker.
Miho Bourbon, capable of textbook-perfect form, saw nothing ahead while leading.
There was no triumph on her face for taking point—her expression betrayed nothing. Her mind was instead churning with numbers.
Hitting the set launch mark, the instant her right hoof came down, Bourbon dropped her body forward, shifted all mass onto that leg—
Directly behind, Stardust Illusion moved as if linked by mind and body. She too changed her running form, and both of them stomped in unison. Speed surged again!
Miho Bourbon became the locomotive of a Shinkansen—roaring out, smashing the wind ahead. Stardust Illusion became the car coupled to that train, running almost even with Bourbon, only half a length behind.
Every step Bourbon placed and lifted was within inches of Stardust Illusion's face. If the locomotive missed its rail rhythm by even 0.1 seconds, that flying hoof would crash into Stardust Illusion's features.
But Stardust Illusion showed no fear, no hesitation. In a week of special training, Miho Bourbon had not once faltered in cadence.
She was a tuned running machine—she would not make human errors.
In that instant, two hearts moved as one and howled down the course—
Shinkansen Draco, departing!
——————————————
Are they crazy… No.
Running with quiet elegance, Mejiro McQueen also sensed the leaders' acceleration, stunned for a heartbeat before she understood.
All-out escape—it was an all-out escape!!!
Running fourth, McQueen lost her composure. As a long-distance ace, she had faced many front-runners, but "all-out escape" was rare. On long courses, such a self-immolating style was suicide unless you were either brainless or a supreme monster.
But this was only 1400 m. If they chose to burn from the start, then they must have reserves—at least enough not to die before the wire.
So what should she do?
Stick to the trainer's call and ignore the two all-out escapees, saving for late? Or chase now to prevent an insurmountable gap?
No—more reason to guard my own rhythm.
She decided in a flash.
Even if they went for broke, all bodies have limits. It was impossible to sprint from the gun and still ignite a top-class finish.
So long as the rest did not lose their heads, she had confidence in Mejiro blood's endurance to crush them.
However…
Just as she set her pace, McQueen realized—Taiki Shuttle ahead and Narita Brian behind had both accelerated too!
What are they doing—are they planning to settle it with the escapees now?!
McQueen instantly saw how bad this could become.
If she felt sure of running down two rookies, she had no such confidence against Taiki Shuttle and Narita Brian.
Those two were terrifying. If they chased now and McQueen held to plan, they would drop her by a wide margin.
And against Taiki Shuttle's end speed in a short sprint—there was no way she could make up that distance.
Damn, damn damn… damn damn damn damn damn damn!
Grinding her teeth, McQueen flung away the stamina she'd reserved, poured everything into her legs, and drove hard.
With the race's flow now shattered by all-out escape, she had only one choice left: chase!
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