Leopardstown Racecourse didn't remain quiet for long, quickly bursting back into another uproar.
However, from August 31st to September 1st, their roles had neatly reversed.
Gotham Song, formerly in the role of trainer, was now the focus, while Haya Of Star, having successfully completed her debut, now bore less pressure.
Yet, despite this, Haya Of Star maintained absolute competitive form, running at full strength alongside Gotham Song.
In her own words, this wasn't just training or helping—it was practically… practically…
A date! Yes, a date!
Just imagining she was helping Gotham Song train sent tears of joy to Haya Of Star's eyes, filling her with inexhaustible energy regardless of exhaustion.
Hearing this, Gotham Song found herself sweating nervously.
Is this child's devotion perhaps a bit too intense?
Still, with Neo Universe personally vouching for Haya Of Star's harmlessness, Gotham Song could finally relax completely.
Days flew by, and soon enough, after another dozen days, they returned once again to the racetrack.
Only this time, the atmosphere was vastly different from Haya Of Star's debut.
After all, today's event was one of Europe's—and even the world's—top-level races, carrying permanent name-protection rights:
The Irish Champion Stakes.
The configuration was almost identical to Haya Of Star's debut, with just one key difference: the race distance had extended from 1,400 meters to a full 2,000.
That simple difference transformed the course dramatically—an initial straight extended by an extra 600 meters.
In other words, what exactly was the nature of the Irish Champion Stakes?
Nearly a thousand-meter opening straightaway, a curve, then a short final straight of 200 meters.
A layout extremely disadvantageous for closers.
And Gotham Song's running style? At least nominally, she was a closer—accelerating from halfway through the race.
Precisely for this reason, many analysts gave Gotham Song little chance in their pre-race assessments. After all, this was an international elite-level race, far beyond the "destroying Japan's racing pride" scenarios from before.
And the most direct indication of this?
In this race, Gotham Song wasn't even the favorite.
Not even second favorite. After all, this was Europe's home ground—Gotham Song had no special advantage here.
So who exactly was ahead of the third-favorite Gotham Song?
Second-favorite Astronomer, and the current favorite—another powerful Uma Musume who recently defeated a near-legendary rival—Fantastic Light.
Fantastic Light truly was exceptionally strong. Considering Astronomer's already impressive popularity, backed by her legendary sister Haya City, Fantastic Light ranking above her showed just how much European audiences valued her.
But how to put it? Gotham Song herself didn't particularly care about not being the favorite.
She was currently more curious about another thing: just how many Japanese were closely watching this race? How many from the URA were desperately praying as they watched?
Perhaps nearly all of them were anxiously praying:
Please don't win, Gotham Song—please don't come in first!!
Their anxiety wasn't groundless. After all, Gotham Song entered this race aiming for the highest-level priority entry right to the Japan Cup. In other words—
The Irish Champion Stakes was Gotham Song's prelude to the Japan Cup.
To their desperate prayers, Gotham Song merely scoffed inwardly.
If prayer actually worked, maybe I'd still be called Twilight Song. Well, since you're all fervently wishing I lose… wouldn't it be rude not to punch you all squarely in the face?
As Gotham Song stood below, watching other Uma Musume appear on stage, her thoughts turned peculiar.
So what if I'm not the favorite? It's not like fan popularity determines speed. And this temporary drop in popularity? It won't last long.
Next time she returned to Europe, Gotham Song intended for her popularity to tower above everyone else's. From today onward, no matter where she raced, Gotham Song would always be the brightest star on the track.
This dominant victory would serve as her calling card to the entire continent.
Since you're all seeking Gotham Song's fighting spirit—the monstrous competitor… Well, I'll gladly fire up the engine—the unrestricted engine.
When Fantastic Light finished her introduction, the stadium quieted down. As all Uma Musume finally loaded into the gates, the audience fell silent, holding their breath anxiously.
Perhaps the spectators were the most nervous group right now, waiting for something they couldn't quite predict.
"The race is about to begin! It's quite a surprise to have Japan's racing demon Gotham Song joining this year. What kind of impressive performance do you expect from her?"
"Gotham Song is undeniably powerful, nearly unbelievable in Japan. But there's doubt about how effective she'll be against Europe's best, particularly considering her habitual slow starts. Although I mean no disrespect, it's an enormous disadvantage, especially on a course so unfriendly to closers like the Irish Champion Stakes."
"In other words, you don't favor her?"
"That's the consensus among fans and media alike, isn't it? Yes, I don't favor her chances."
This commentary represented mainstream European opinion. Indeed, the signs of support for Gotham Song scattered across the stands were sparse. Most audience members cheered only for Astronomer and Fantastic Light, dominating the crowd's colors.
In other words, it felt familiar yet fundamentally different—
This time, Gotham Song, the entire world isn't waiting for your dazzling victory. Instead, these spectators desperately want your opponents to triumph.
So, should she fulfill their wishes?
[Red]
Ah, imagine how much happier the audience would be if their favored runners actually won…
[Red]
After all, who attends races hoping to see their favorites lose? Gotham Song understood this sentiment perfectly, remembering how exhilarating it had been to witness Haya Of Star's debut victory.
Watching a race was thrilling precisely because of those hopes. So, should she show mercy?
Should she give the audience what they desired?
[Green!]
"They're off! Leading out from the gate are Astronomer, Fantastic Light, and… Gotham Song?! She didn't start slow?!"
You didn't really think I was that foolish—or merciful—did you?
I came to win. To utterly crush the competition without leaving even the slightest opportunity… Isn't this exactly what you wanted to see, Astronomer—or rather—
Exactly what I should always be doing?
Heh.
Amid stunned cries throughout the stands, Gotham Song unleashed a fierce, wicked grin. The wind screamed in her ears, but she charged forward relentlessly!
This wasn't Japan; she'd adapt her tactics accordingly. Was the course hostile to closers? Fine, she'd run as a front-runner then!
Watch closely, Haya Of Star—this is what your idol learned from you!
"Incredible! Gotham Song changed her running style entirely? And she's already pulling away from the pack behind her! Now only three runners dominate the front: Astronomer and Fantastic Light are slightly ahead, with Gotham Song closely trailing behind along the inside."
"But Fantastic Light and Astronomer now have an absolute advantage! Holding their leading positions firmly, there's simply no opening for Gotham Song!"
Indeed, there seemed no room to maneuver. Although going wide outside now could theoretically allow passing, it would severely disrupt Gotham Song's pace. Moreover, the two in front weren't fools—any slight movement could instantly close off that option.
In other words, Gotham Song was stuck in exactly the difficult situation Haya Of Star had faced previously.
Completely blocked by two well-coordinated Uma Musume, Gotham Song had nowhere to break through.
And truthfully speaking—
Astronomer and Fantastic Light seemed perfectly in sync, perhaps having forged a race-track friendship. They repeatedly shifted positions expertly, thwarting every tentative attempt Gotham Song made.
After multiple failed probes, Gotham Song remained trapped behind their tight defense.
They're certainly guarding closely. In that case, what should I do now? There's still a long straight ahead, so…
"Gotham Song continues trying to break through—twice, three times now—but still no use! Fantastic Light and Astronomer won't budge, sealing off every route!"
"Indeed. If these two maintain their pace, not even the strongest Uma Musume could break through such a tightly coordinated blockade."
Under normal circumstances, yes. After all, the Irish Champion Stakes was only 2,000 meters—too short for major surprises. As long as Fantastic Light and Astronomer maintained their defensive rhythm, victory was assured.
For most Uma Musume, breaking through from the inside was typically the only option.
But Gotham Song's opponents now weren't debut runners—they were two seasoned legends!
Attempting the same miracle Haya Of Star pulled off? Astronomer was even Haya Of Star's sister—there was no chance she'd fall for the same tactic!
Victory was theirs! If this was all Gotham Song had, Europe had secured first place!
Thus, confident cheers erupted across the stadium, prematurely declaring the race's outcome.
"Astronomer! Astronomer!"
"Fantastic Light! Fantastic Light!"
Fans roared back and forth, urging their favorites on as tension escalated. Time continued ticking forward, pushing relentlessly toward the climactic final corner.
As the initial straightaway finally ended, the three leading runners began approaching the curve.
Spectators knew Gotham Song had nearly unmatched cornering skills, almost perfectly replicating the legendary Twilight Song. But even then, what could she do when fully blocked?
Yet, was it really that simple?
Honestly, Gotham Song had no intention of trying something this reckless initially, but constantly getting trapped behind others—unable to run freely—was becoming unbearably frustrating.
Ah, forget it. Since I'm already stuck here… Yes, as expected, Astronomer and Fantastic Light left no openings, completely sealing off any angle for me.
But surely you didn't think that alone would stop me, right? Don't underestimate me!
Taking a deep breath, Gotham Song—
"My goodness! Gotham Song isn't even attempting the inside corner… Wait, she's—"
"Gotham Song charges to the extreme outer path!!"
At that instant, the battle abruptly shifted. Gotham Song swung far outside—but in doing so, she created a path entirely free from obstruction, a path upon which she could freely unleash her full strength.
And with that freedom came one inevitable outcome:
Full throttle. Engines roaring.
In an instant, Gotham Song lowered her body and burst forward at a speed beyond all limits!
Gotham Song—was charging forward!