Chapter 49: NS Strategy Meeting
"Well then, let's begin."
Waving away the mosquitoes in front of him, Kitano said.
Sitting in a circle beside him were Ogawa Take, the representative of the breeding farm, and from the Trainer's side, Tanaka, along with the two Jockeys, Hattori and Ochiai.
The time was a Sunday evening in late September.
The location was the lounge of Tanaka's stable.
For five grown men, this cramped space was somewhat inconvenient.
However, none of them looked particularly bothered by it.
On the small whiteboard at the back of the lounge, the words'Strategy Meeting - NS Monbetsu' were scrawled crookedly.
If one knew nothing about horse racing, they might easily mistake these men for employees of Nin○endo.
In reality, NS is an abbreviation for NEXT STAR.
What these guys were about to discuss was the race strategy for the upcoming Graded Race race, the [Future Star - Monbetsu].
Not the sales status of handheld consoles in the Monbetsu region.
Because it was a Graded Race race, everyone was adopting a somewhat more serious attitude.
It wouldn't be appropriate to discuss things casually in an izakaya setting like the first time.
Although, in Kitano's opinion, the izakaya would have been preferable.
"How is the physical condition of the horses?"
Once they started, Tanaka asked the question he was most concerned about first.
"During the weigh-in yesterday, Pegasus was 474 kilograms, which is two kilograms heavier than before the last race."
Ogawa Take responded confidently.
"Both physically and mentally, he's ready for the race. You can feel his forward momentum during training."
After a month of rest, Mejiro Pegasus hadn't become lax.
On the contrary, whether during training or while grazing, you could sense an eagerness, a readiness to go.
Not only had he successfully shaken off the fatigue accumulated from the recent series of races, but he had also made further physical progress.
Although, perhaps a bit slowly.
Tanaka nodded.
"Sakiya is also adjusted to a condition suitable for racing."
Ogawa Take continued.
Kitano unconsciously rubbed his fingertips.
With only one race under her belt, she was now entering a Graded Race race. Could Mejiro Sakiya handle such a change in racing rhythm?
He still had doubts about that.
"Even without a change in exercise volume, she's steadily developing in a more solid and powerful direction. You can clearly feel the horse's growth potential."
After closely observing the horse's physique, Ogawa Take gave a "completely fine" reply.
"However... mentally, she's still as relaxed as ever."
Regarding this point, even Ogawa Take didn't have a particularly good solution.
Given the constraint of not being able to train too intensely, improving the horse's mental state was quite difficult.
"Same as always, huh..."
Tanaka smiled and shook his head.
But it was a better situation than expected.
At least, there were no issues with either horse's participation.
"How about things on your end?"
He then looked towards the two Jockeys.
"There shouldn't be any problems with Pegasus."
Ochiai replied calmly.
In the end, he had chosen the Mejiro Pegasus he had partnered with from the start.
As for the reasons, Tanaka didn't inquire too deeply.
"I don't have any problems either."
More than a Jockey, the forty-nine-year-old Hattori Shigeru resembled an ordinary company employee you might see anywhere, his speech tinged with a heavy local accent.
Regarding the entrusted Mejiro Sakiya, he was in a relatively unfamiliar state.
Although she belonged to this stable, he hadn't had any prior contact with her.
"A bit slow to react, but full of power. Once she gets going properly, she's a horse with very ample explosive force."
This was his judgment after watching Mejiro Sakiya's race footage.
"Um... if possible, it would be better for me to get a little practice run with her before the race."
Even though he knew the entrusted horse was a bit lame, Hattori still made this request.
If the goal was victory, such practice was necessary.
Tanaka looked up towards Kitano and Ogawa Take.
"No problem, but try not to do too strenuous training."
Kitano nodded and said.
Ogawa Take also nodded in agreement.
"That's great then."
Hattori let out a sigh of relief, his eyes almost disappearing into slits when he smiled.
"Then, next is the tactical part."
Satisfied, Tanaka tapped the whiteboard and said.
Both Kitano and Ogawa Take consciously closed their mouths.
In this area, they were practically fellow beginners, comrades in hardship.
"If the gate position is suitable, how about trying to go for the lead with Pegasus?"
After placing all the magnets representing the twelve competing horses on the track diagram, Tanaka suggested.
"We can give it a try."
Ochiai's response remained concise.
"As for Sakiya, it should be fine to hold her back a bit in position, right?"
Tanaka then turned his head and asked Hattori.
"No problem on my end."
Hattori replied with a beaming smile.
A consensus was quickly reached that Mejiro Sakiya needed to start the race from a rearward position.
Whether considering her temperament or her physical injuries, expecting her to quickly engage in the race from the early stages wasn't a very realistic consideration.
For the two horses, the scenarios Tanaka envisioned were completely different.
Both Mejiro Pegasus and Mejiro Sakiya were horses that performed better within their own rhythms.
Therefore, how to prevent the two horses from interfering with each other's rhythm became the primary consideration.
Mejiro Pegasus was a horse that could engage in the race from multiple positions, tactically versatile.
But the other horse, Mejiro Sakiya, for various reasons, could only be positioned at the rear.
Limiting Mejiro Pegasus's tactics to leading was a sacrifice made for the overall situation.
Of course, if Ochiai could successfully break Mejiro Pegasus out and set a fast pace, it would be a good race development for both himself and the trailing Mejiro Sakiya.
For all parties involved, this tactic was an acceptable arrangement.
Although not a particularly brilliant strategy, it ensured feasibility while also incorporating a degree of coordination.
"Then I'll leave it to everyone."
After completing the tactical analysis, Tanaka bowed to everyone.
"Thank you all for your hard work."
Kitano also stood up and said.
"Um... Mr. Kitano!"
At that moment, Ochiai suddenly spoke up.
Kitano cast a somewhat puzzled look his way.
"Won't we be using the Horse Owner's silks this time?"
He asked.
Unlike most local racecourses where only the Jockey's Racing Silks can be used, Jockeys belonging to Monbetsu can choose to wear either their own Racing Silks or the Horse Owner's Racing Silks during a race.
"Ah, that..."
Kitano scratched his head.
"Shouldn't that depend on Jockey Ochiai's preference?"
Only then did Kitano remember that he seemed to have submitted a proposal for the Horse Owner's Racing Silks.
"How about using the Horse Owner's silks this time?"
Ochiai proposed, his tone slightly more emphatic.
"I don't have a problem with it."
Kitano readily agreed.
"Then I'll use the Horse Owner's Racing Silks too."
As if they had planned it, Hattori also raised his hand with a chuckle.