The Spring Stakes qualification required 10 million yen in career prize money. Even participating in a single small race would be enough to meet that requirement.
"Add Seiun and Suzuka's races too."
For Seiun Sky's Tenno Sho Spring prep race, the GII-level Osaka Hai also needed a certain amount of prize money to enter.
After researching several options, he finally selected race events for them. All were races they could easily win without getting injured.
Among Suzuka's races was the Tulip Sho, a prep race for the Oka Sho. This race followed the same route as the Triple Tiara Cup, only the top three could challenge the subsequent Oka Sho.
The next week flew by in a blur of intense training. While King Halo and Seiun Sky pushed each other to their limits, Suzuka quietly refined her technique, her movements becoming more fluid with each session.
Before they knew it, Silence Suzuka's debut race day had arrived.
This race didn't leave much room for doubt, really. The only question was how many lengths Suzuka would win by.
Same setup as before, a medium-distance 2000-meter turf race.
"Next up, from gate 3, wearing number 7, Silence Suzuka!"
Silence Suzuka emerged from behind the display stage, flipped up her jacket, and revealed an overwhelming presence that honestly surprised everyone. Extremely imposing for someone so quiet.
Silence Suzuka is the top favorite in this race.
Well, after all, her trainer is the same person as the winners from the previous two weeks, and I heard she excels at runaway strategies.
I wonder what kind of performance an Uma Musume who excels at running away will show under the tutelage of that trainer skilled in runaway tactics?
Let's wait and see.
"Hey, hey, what's this about a 'trainer skilled in runaway tactics?' Is that a nickname?"
The conversation between the commentator and announcer left Hayato completely confused.
Hayato didn't know yet that after dodging reporter interviews several times, and because his team members all used runaway strategies, those reporters were now secretly calling him the "Runaway Trainer."
The reporters had set up an extensive network at this race venue. If Silence Suzuka won, Hayato definitely wouldn't escape as easily as the previous two times, like before.
After entering the race grounds, Silence Suzuka didn't talk to the other Uma Musume. When occasionally greeted, she responded casually, politely.
Having heard she was another runaway Uma Musume from that "Runaway Trainer," the other competitors all focused their attention on Silence Suzuka.
A physically robust, dark-skinned number 3 Uma Musume approached her. "You're Silence Suzuka, right? I won't be giving up the front position to you."
She was also planning to use a runaway strategy. Since it'd become pretty popular lately, she wanted to try it herself.
Silence Suzuka replied softly, gently, "I return those words to you. I also won't give up the leading position."
"Tch." Number 3 shot Silence Suzuka a disdainful look. She'd thought the aloof Silence Suzuka would be arrogant, but she wasn't at all. The moment she spoke, it felt like she was just putting on a brave front, actually scared to death.
Timid? Such a weak tone?
Then what was there to fear? She felt confident that no matter what happened, she wouldn't lose to this girl.
Up in the stands, Hayato felt a bit uneasy. "She's got a rival. It's really unexpected to find a Uma Musume who also has skills in this game."
That Uma Musume was called Shining Atrium. Her stats were standard and unremarkable, like the other ordinary Uma Musume. Speed at 129, stamina at 113, medium distance aptitude rating A.
The key issue was that this Uma Musume also had an A rating for runner aptitude, plus she had one skill.
Early Lead - Normal/Yellow: Slightly easier to push forward in the early phase of the race.
As everyone knew, runner Uma Musume had one major weakness. Since most of their skills were designed for running in the lead, if they couldn't take the lead, their skills couldn't activate. But her skill can be active at the beginning of the race!
After a month of training, Silence Suzuka's current stats were:
Silence Suzuka
Stamina Condition: 89/100 Good
Speed: 207+45
Stamina: 164+40
Power: 156+39
Guts: 192+42
Wisdom: 165+37
Turf Aptitude: A | Dirt Aptitude: G
Distance Aptitude: Sprint D, Mile A, Medium A, Long E
Running Style Aptitude: Front-Runner A, Pace-Chaser D, End-Closer E, Late-Surger G
Inherent Unique Skill: The View from the Lead Is Mine...! - In the final straight, if leading and maintaining a gap, will utilize leg strength to increase speed.
Skill 1: Deep Breath - Normal/Blue - Takes a breath when entering the straight, becomes slightly less prone to fatigue.
Skill 2: Front Runner Corner - Normal Low Grade/Yellow - Speed slightly increases in corners
Skill 3: Front Runner Straightaways - Normal Low Grade/Yellow - Speed slightly increases on straightaways
Skill 4: Focus - Normal/Yellow - Becomes proficient at gate starts
Skill 5: Rosy Outlook - Normal/Blue - If leading in the mid-race phase, becomes slightly less prone to feeling fatigued
After seeing Silence Suzuka's data, Hayato felt way more at ease. With these stats, there was no reason she should lose to those ordinary Uma Musume.
This was complete dominance.
No need to even watch to know who'll win, right?
Warm-up time ended, and competitors began entering the starting gates. The race would start soon.
As the competitors entered one by one, each Uma Musume felt nervousness rising within them.
It was the opening race of their debut. Failure was unacceptable. Only one name would stand at the top, and every participant shared the same conviction
Silence Suzuka clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and assumed her optimal starting position.
Trainer's training results... let this race be the proof. I want nothing but to lead the entire way. Lead, lead, always leading until the finish line. I absolutely won't give up the front position to anyone.
Shining Atrium glanced at Silence Suzuka's number 7 position, a cold glint flashing in her eyes as her lips curved into a smile.
From this moment on, she'd set her sights on Silence Suzuka. What she needed to do was surpass her. As long as she could run ahead of Silence Suzuka, she'd consider it a personal win.
After that smile, she looked forward again. Time to show the results of her efforts. A true runaway strategy. She was confident that her runaway wouldn't be inferior to Seiun Sky's or King Halo's.
Who the true runner will be will be revealed right now.
In a corner of the stands, Tojo Hana was also watching this race. Even Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky were in the center seats, waiting quietly.
Silence Suzuka's race, in a certain sense, was also proving whether runaway strategies truly existed as a viable approach.
Could the highly anticipated runaway strategy actually appear in classic races?
Could it be used not merely as some unusual tactic?
It was one thing for sprint distances, but what about mile distances? Medium distances? And after that?
"This should be interesting," Symboli Rudol murmured.
"Yeah," Maruzensky agreed, leaning forward slightly. "If this 'Runaway Trainer' can pull this off three times in a row..."
"Then it's not a fluke anymore," Symboli Rudolf finished. "It's a legitimate strategy."
The gates were loading. Any second now.
Hayato gripped the railing, watching Suzuka settle into position.
"Come on, Suzuka. Show them what you've got."