**Chapter 43: Ochiai's Pace-Setting Strategy**
Seize the lead at high speed in the early stages, slow down on the bend in the middle, then accelerate again in the final straight.
The moment this idea surfaced, Ochiai tightened his reins.
The key to victory lay in two points.
Would his tactics be seen through by opponents from behind?
And, would the horse and jockey's coordination be good enough to change pace precisely when needed?
"I'm counting on you, Pegasus," he murmured to himself.
Mejiro Pegasus was a racehorse with an abundant fighting spirit; once he reached first place, he would try his best to maintain it, even if it was a bit difficult.
A racehorse with such strong tenacity would certainly have a chance to compete with the trailing pack in the final straight.
Provided he could control the pace of the first half of the race well.
"Don't catch up now," he thought, cautiously observing his opponents' movements out of the corner of his eye while guiding the racehorse around the bend.
Behind him, Ruri Ningyo and Mitsuyu Himuro had finished their struggle for second place, maintaining their current positions as they entered the bend.
Behind the three horses in the leading group was a chasing pack, lagging far behind.
No one had any intention of moving further forward.
He breathed a temporary sigh of relief.
"In that case, perhaps I can slow down a bit more."
Although he had this thought, Ochiai made no further moves until entering the second bend.
If he argued with the horse, it would undoubtedly affect the original rhythm.
Since there wasn't a big problem, it was fine to go a little faster.
The distance between Mejiro Pegasus and the trailing pack was still gradually widening.
"This… should be fine, right?" Kitano asked hesitantly.
The scene seemed a little different from what was envisioned during the pre-race tactical discussion.
That gray-white silhouette was clearly running at the very front of the pack.
"This position is very disadvantageous for Pegasus!" Ogawa Masaru looked at the track anxiously.
For Mejiro Pegasus, maintaining a lead in shorter races and chasing from behind in slightly longer races was the ideal running style.
Within the limits of his physical ability, this running style could maximize the use of his fighting spirit.
But, conversely, the situation would be somewhat different.
Whether in training or racing, if Mejiro Pegasus realized that he couldn't achieve something even with effort, he would decisively choose to give up.
In a 1500-meter race, expending too much energy too early could very likely make him lose his fighting spirit.
In that case, even a crushing defeat was not impossible.
"It's a somewhat unfavorable development," he said, frowning.
"Eh! Is it really that bad?" Kitano's expression mirrored Ogawa Masaru's.
While he was somewhat pleased that he could somewhat discern the race's progression, the current situation was not what he had hoped for.
"Yes, although it's temporarily maintained—" Ogawa Masaru's explanation was cut short by a scoff.
"Idiot—" Ogawa Kanna called her younger brother this.
Kitano vaguely felt that he was also being affected.
"Even if you don't aspire to be a Jockey, reading pace is something you must master, like breathing, isn't it?" the girl continued relentlessly.
"Although it looks like a normal pace-setting, it's actually not the case at all." Ogawa Kanna pointed towards the track.
Mejiro Pegasus, having opened up a clear gap, was heading towards the straight after the second bend.
"On the bend, Ochiai Jockey slowed down… Of course, I'm not sure if he did it intentionally."
"And then?" Kitano and Ogawa Masaru both turned their heads, their eyes asking the same question.
"Idiots, wait until he enters the straight… Forget it, just watch." The girl sighed helplessly.
"It's a very good development," Ogawa Take, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
From the beginning, the old man had maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
According to his experience, after the early stages unfolded, the race's direction was already very clear.
Even if there were some concerns about the distance, a good result should still be achievable.
"Oh, isn't that how it is?" He looked a bit confused when he noticed everyone staring at him.
Don't dirt races always decide the winner at the start?
"Dad, this isn't Kentucky anymore." Ogawa Kanna clutched her forehead as if she had a headache.
On the other side, Ochiai, having reached the straight, urged Mejiro Pegasus beneath him.
He was to proceed at a slightly faster pace until the next bend.
Besides continuing to widen the gap, there was also the consideration of maintaining the "Kick Back" to interfere with the trailing pack.
As horses run, the debris kicked up by their hind hooves can obscure the vision of trailing racehorses or disrupt their breathing rhythm.
It could even cause some difficult-tempered opponents to become anxious.
In dirt races, the effect of "Kick Back" is particularly noticeable.
However, for some horses that are not smart enough, or are single-minded, it is very difficult to understand such complex changes in instructions.
But, if it was Mejiro Pegasus, it shouldn't be a problem.
Thinking this, the gray horse beneath him indeed changed its rhythm.
"Well done!" He guided Mejiro Pegasus to a position two or three horse-widths wider than the inner rail.
This route not only allowed room for maneuver when entering the bend but also reduced the impact of the thick sand on the inside.
Although more than half the distance had been covered, Mejiro Pegasus still seemed to have energy left.
As long as he could catch his breath slightly on the next bend, he should be able to hold on in the straight.
After making this judgment, he slightly turned his head to observe the movements of the trailing pack.
Ruri Ningyo and Mitsuyu Himuro were still steadily maintaining a distance behind.
Neither Iwahashi nor Yoshimoto had any intention of starting to whip their horses to catch up at this point.
"In that case, watch closely—" He unconsciously pursed his lips.
In his line of sight, the third bend was rapidly approaching.
It was time.
Ochiai pulled the reins.
At this moment, his heart almost stopped.
What if Mejiro Pegasus overshot it?
What if he pulled him to a complete stop?
All sorts of possibilities flashed through his mind.
However, he still pulled the reins without hesitation.
None of the worries he had came to pass.
Mejiro Pegasus adjusted his rhythm smoothly.
"Next, it's a showdown on the straight." Listening to the faint sound of whips in his ears, Ochiai took a deep breath.
"Mejiro Pegasus, number six in the lead, is heading towards the final straight! Ruri Ningyo behind him is about three horse lengths back, and Maou Opera is catching up on the far outside! With two hundred meters to go, can Mejiro Pegasus make a successful escape?!" The live commentator's pace unconsciously quickened, and the grandstand began to stir.
The outcome was about to be decided.