Chapter 90. Unexpected Events After the Race Starts
The next race was the world's most prestigious turf middle-distance G1, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, named after France's iconic landmark. A total of twenty-three racehorses lined up for this year's edition.
Tokai Teio's camp had gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure he arrived in peak condition, and Tokai Teio himself had adapted remarkably well to the course. That was why Uchimura Masanori was not excessively nervous. He genuinely believed Tokai Teio had a real chance to win this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Shuta An, however, was no less anxious than Uchimura Masanori.
Even if he failed to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this year, there would always be future opportunities to challenge it again. But for Tokai Teio, this chance would come only once.
"I remember King Halo once told her Trainer that if a Trainer fails with one Uma Musume, they can simply move on and train another. But for us Uma Musume, our racing career is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,"
The young man thought as he closed his eyes and walked out of the jockeys' waiting room.
"The same is true for Tokai Teio now."
"I know the Tokai Teio of the Dream World isn't the Tokai Teio of the real world. But to me, both of them are precious beings whose honors I must do everything in my power to help expand."
Shuta An's determination burned like blazing fire. So intense was his fighting spirit that Christophe Soumillon, walking beside him, could clearly sense it.
"Such overwhelming resolve— He didn't even radiate this kind of aura during the decisive moments of the Opera Stakes." Alarm bells immediately rang in Christophe Soumillon's mind. "I have to keep a close eye on Shuta An in this Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
—
For this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, André Fabre had entered four horses. Since Shuta An was naturally committed to riding Tokai Teio, the remaining four mounts were assigned to Thierry, Christophe Soumillon, Guillot, and Weiderly.
"It's a pity Shuta has to ride his principal horse from Japan,"
André Fabre said helplessly to Mohammed bin Rashid, who stood beside him wearing a white headscarf.
"If Thierry's mount had been given to Shuta instead, our chances of winning this Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would have been much higher. Throughout the summer and early autumn, he brought us victory after victory."
"I've read the reports," Mohammed bin Rashid replied after a brief pause. "I also saw your recommendation, Mr. Fabre. That's precisely why I've come here in person today."
Narrowing his eyes, he revealed his intentions.
"He has already won three races today. If he can also win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe aboard his own horse, then I will seriously consider offering him a position in the international operations that the Godolphin Group intends to expand next year."
Meanwhile, already seated in Tokai Teio's saddle, Shuta An carefully ran his hand through his mane.
"Today's our most important race. Teio—stay safe, and after that, win."
Those quiet words reached Stableman Azuma Ikuo's ears, making him even more nervous.
"The turf is in terrible condition today—are you really sure it'll be alright?" Just before they parted ways, Azuma Ikuo couldn't help but ask.
"No problem." Shuta An gave him an OK gesture. "Just watch. I'll bring the victory back."
Although the young man himself was under tremendous pressure, he still chose to reassure Azuma Ikuo, the stable staff, and the Horse Owners gathered inside the restricted area before they separated.
—
Tokai Teio had drawn Gate 7 for this race.
Considering that twenty-three racehorses were competing, it was a relatively favorable inside draw, and for Shuta An, that was unquestionably good news.
"No matter what, I need to secure a good forward position as quickly as possible. I can't allow anyone to block my path later, so I might as well settle directly behind the pace-setter."
That was the strategy he had decided upon before entering the course.
While passing through the paddock, Shuta could clearly hear the live commentator introducing Tokai Teio.
"THE UNDEFEATED JAPANESE TRIPLE CROWN WINNER, WHO CAPTURED THE EPSOM DERBY AT ASCOT RACECOURSE THIS SUMMER, IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE FAVORITE FOR TODAY'S RACE."
"HOWEVER, MANY PREVIOUSLY QUESTIONED WHETHER TOKAI TEIO COULD HANDLE LONGCHAMP'S NOTORIOUSLY DEMANDING TURF. BUT AFTER SHUTA AN GUIDED ANOTHER JAPANESE HORSE, RICE SHOWER, TO VICTORY IN YESTERDAY'S PRIX DU CADRAN, MUCH OF THAT SKEPTICISM HAS VANISHED."
"TODAY'S BIGGEST STORY IS WHETHER TOKAI TEIO CAN BECOME THE FIRST NON-EUROPEAN HORSE TO WIN THE PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE, AND WHETHER WHITE MUZZLE, OPERA HOUSE, AND USER FRIENDLY CAN FINALLY TAKE REVENGE ON THE SAME COURSE."
"Speaking of that," the guest commentator beside him added with a smile, "as far as I know, every time User Friendly and Tokai Teio have met, Tokai Teio has come out on top. I wonder if history will repeat itself today."
Listening to the commentators, Shuta An casually twirled his riding crop.
"User Friendly really is Teio's lucky charm. It would be wonderful if they could be drawn together every time."
After all, this was the Dream World.
Once inside the starting gate, Shuta An glanced toward the horses on either side.
Suddenly, a warning bell sounded in his mind.
From Gate 8 was Dariyoun, ridden by Doleuze. More importantly, both Dariyoun and Guillot's mount were naturally aggressive horses that fought fiercely for early position.
And both jockeys were watching him.
Having already experienced coordinated tactics from rivals before, Shuta An instinctively worried that the two might work together to suppress Tokai Teio immediately after the start.
"But their horses aren't from the same stable, nor do they belong to the same Horse Owner. Surely they wouldn't cooperate that closely—would they?"
Even so, knowing he couldn't afford even the slightest mistake, the young man's nerves remained stretched taut.
"When the gates open, I'll hold Teio back just a little. If he breaks too sharply and gets caught in a pincer between those two, that'll be even worse."
With that thought, Shuta An gradually relaxed the reins, abandoning his original plan of urging Tokai Teio aggressively out of the gate.
—
After all twenty-three racehorses had entered the stalls, with several still showing visible signs of restlessness, the starting gates suddenly sprang open.
Tokai Teio instinctively lunged forward.
However, Doleuze and Guillot reacted even faster.
Both jockeys simultaneously cracked their signal whips, sending their mounts surging forward before immediately closing the gap, preventing Shuta An and Tokai Teio from accelerating into a favorable forward position. Almost at the same time, horses from the outside also launched forward one after another, leaving Tokai Teio with no opportunity to cut across into open space.
"Tsk."
His carefully prepared race plan had been completely disrupted from the very start.
Suppressing the anxiety rising within him, Shuta An guided Tokai Teio smoothly into his cruising rhythm while rapidly searching for a way to break the deadlock that had formed around them.
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