From then until Sunday, Shuta An stayed quietly in the Noboribetsu hotel, while Oguri Cap and Berno Light happily went off to explore Otaru and Hakodate.
Berno Light, now used to her new camera, couldn't help remarking with satisfaction, "Honestly, it was the right call to buy this. Taking photos with a camera feels so much more official than just using a phone. And the pictures turn out better too."
"When we develop them, they'll make great keepsakes," Shuta An replied.
Then Oguri Cap, who was sitting nearby nibbling on snacks, turned to him. "But Ann, are you really not going out with us at all?"
The Young man shook his head. "I'll pass. I need to prepare for the summer camp next month—I haven't even started writing your speech yet, Oguri."
"It's summer vacation, but Ann's already in full work mode again—" Berno Light complained with a pout.
Shuta An poked her waist. "Then how about Berno writes it for me?"
"No thank you," she rejected instantly, "I'm terrible at that sort of thing."
"Hmph hmph," Shuta An grumbled playfully, letting her off.
Of course, in truth, Shuta An's workload was more than just speeches—while holed up in his room, he had to prepare his own materials, gather information on Oguri Cap's potential rivals in the Autumn Tenno Sho, and also analyze the Sapporo Kinen competitors he had forcibly memorized.
"Even though Kobano Rich's ability looks average compared to the rest, it's the only participant already adapted to Sapporo Racecourse. Maybe—I can turn that into an advantage?" he muttered, staring at the data on his computer screen.
On Sunday, after spending the whole day being pampered by his lover, Shuta An went to bed early.
Tonight, in the Dream World, he would be riding Kobano Rich in the Sapporo Kinen. After falling asleep, Shuta An's consciousness opened in the jockeys' waiting room.
"Today's Sapporo Racecourse has ten races in total and I've been assigned to six of them. Aside from the 10th race—the Sapporo Kinen—there are races 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9. Winning every race might be impossible, but I need to deliver results I can be proud of."
He twirled his whip absent-mindedly as he thought. Soon, it was time for the second race. He stood, adjusted his worn racing silks, and stepped out.
This race was Dirt 1200m. His mount, Wonder Ruby, had finished second in her debut and was now attempting an untried race for the first time. Despite her popularity, Shuta An didn't expect much—after watching her run, he was convinced she belonged on turf, but the Trainer insisted on racing her on dirt. As a jockey, he had no authority over race selection. His only responsibility was to help her achieve the best result possible.
"It's just 1200m—I can't afford to conserve stamina. But I need to keep Wonder Ruby's rhythm stable."
He entered the paddock, mounted Wonder Ruby with the groom's help, and, once seated, closed his eyes to feel the mare's breathing.
"She's excited—did she really notice the race atmosphere?" he murmured.
Wonder Ruby drew gate 3 out of 7 horses. The moment the gates opened, Shuta An immediately pushed her forward. Taking advantage of the inside position, he brought her up to third before the turn, carving out an early lane.
Then Harley Manasuru, running alongside, accelerated unusually early. The jockey shot him a look, then started whipping hard.
"I can't push yet—not until the straight," Shuta An told himself, matching Wonder Ruby's breathing.
Entering the straight, Harley Manasuru had already pulled three lengths ahead.
"Now!"
He leaned low and executed a smooth, rhythmic sequence—three whip strikes, reverse grip push, three pushes, one twirl, three more strikes. But the jockey ahead didn't let up at all.
"She really can't handle dirt," he thought as he glanced back. Even so, the third-place horse was far behind.
"With only fifty meters left better prioritize safety."
He stopped whipping and simply pushed to the finish. Wonder Ruby finished second, five lengths behind.
After the race, Harley Manasuru's jockey rode up to him. "Your horse isn't suited for dirt, you know."
"Yes, I noticed," Shuta An replied.
"But getting that much out of a turf horse? You really live up to your reputation as a genius," the man said admiringly.
"I still lost, though."
"That's only because Harley is stronger on dirt." He held out his hand. "I'm Tahara Seiki. Nice to meet you—I've heard a lot about you."
"Hello, Senior Tahara Seiki," Shuta An bowed slightly. "I've heard a lot about you as well."
The praise was genuine—Tahara Seiki was the jockey who had earned the Two Tiara last year.
"There's nothing great about me," Tahara Seiki said. "I haven't won a single major race this year. You're doing much better."
"I'm just riding Oguri Cap's fortune."
"That's not true." Tahara Seiki shook his head. "I used to think that, but not anymore. You've got real ability. Don't lose to the new star from the Take family."
"I'll do my best," Shuta An replied.
In the next four races, Shuta An won two, placed third in one, and finished sixth in another—but each result was higher than his popularity ranking. He fully lived up to the expectations placed on him.
"And next the main event." Back in the waiting room, he watched live broadcasts of other venues.
Yutaka Take was at Chukyo for the G3 Chunichi Sports Cup. He had only one win so far today. With a major race, it could still become a good week.
"Has Shuta moved permanently to Sapporo? Is he escaping the heat?" Yutaka Take muttered as he thought of his greatest rival. "The Sapporo Kinen is today. I wonder if he can win."
Whether Shuta could win or not—Yutaka Take had confidence in himself. But when Shuta heard one name in the parade, he lost all expectation that Yutaka Take would win.
"Dicta Striker is in the lineup…? Then there's no suspense at all."
Then he heard another name—Yaeno Muteki.
"Welp. Dicta Striker and Yaeno Muteki? Yutaka Take's doomed," he laughed. "Even I wouldn't win unless my mount was Oguri Cap."
Just as expected, Dicta Striker unleashed a monstrous final 3F and overtook Yaeno Muteki. Yutaka Take, who had led the entire race, finished third.
His expression tightened. "I thought I controlled the pace perfectly—and still lost."
He returned to the waiting room, frustrated. Since he hadn't won today, he didn't want Shuta to win either.
Meanwhile, Shuta was already on Kobano Rich, entering the gate. Sixteen participants. Kobano Rich drew gate 13—outside and not ideal for a front-runner.
"So once the gates open, I'll push hard," Shuta decided.
With a metallic click, the gates burst open.
He pushed—and Kobano Rich shot out brilliantly.
Seeing that the inside had no immediate challengers, Shuta pushed even more, guiding the horse with a few flicks of his whip on the left to drift inward. Galant Dancer, last year's Sapporo 3-year-old S winner, pressed closely behind—clearly wanting the lead. But Shuta didn't worry. After its one notable win, Galant Dancer hadn't achieved anything since. Its decline was obvious.
What he didn't expect was Kobano Rich feeling provoked and accelerating on its own.
"I wanted sixty-one seconds per 1000 metres" Shuta bit his lip, then estimated quickly. Even at this pace, they would still hit around sixty seconds.
"Fine. We'll go with this."
At Chukyo, Yutaka Take frowned as he watched.
"Shuta's leading the pack—but his pace looks sloppy. He even added an extra burst in the early straight. Doesn't he plan to control the tempo?"
Then the time was announced—
"First 1000 meters—exactly 60 seconds!"
"So he did control it," Yutaka Take muttered.
Entering the final straight, Shuta's eyes sharpened.
"Here!"
He drew a circle with his backhand—then struck once, hard. Kobano Rich responded like a spark hitting a fuse. Just one whip was enough—Shuta already knew this horse was gutsy and sensitive.
Mejiro GosHawk tried to close in, but the gap never tightened beyond a horse length.
Without using a second whip, relying only on pure pushing strength, Shuta guided Kobano Rich across the finish line first.
Yutaka Take sucked in a breath. "That push— way too strong—"
And the commentator exclaimed—
"It's Shuta An again! The local star adds another Central major race win! Are you sure you won't transfer to Central?! He's becoming a legend!"