Perspective: Hachiman
The first race just finished, and they're moving on to preparations for the second. That means the Uma Musume for the third race are about to make their appearance in the paddock. Rice is entered in this one. She's in Bracket 7, Number 8—an outer gate—but with only ten runners in the field, the question is how she'll handle it. For this race, Rice is sitting at second favorite.
Considering her actual ability, it wouldn't be strange if she were the top favorite, but I suppose this is fine. I'd have a bone to pick if she were ranked near the bottom, though.
Oh, looks like it's about time. I just hope Rice doesn't make any clumsy mistakes in the paddock...
Announcer: "Next up, from Bracket 7, Number 8! The second favorite for this race, Rice Shower!"
Commentator: "This Uma Musume has gathered quite a bit of popularity even before the race. She's only a slim margin behind the first favorite, and there's a significant gap between her and the third. If there's going to be a battle for the win, she will undoubtedly be at the center of it."
Hachiman: "...They aren't wrong, but they're slightly off. There isn't anyone in this race who can beat Rice. After all, the quantity and quality of the training she's ground through are on a different level. If you wanted to beat Rice, you should have brought a Graded Stakes class Uma Musume."
Location: Waiting Room
Hachiman: "You looked resolved out in the paddock. I was a little on edge thinking you might trip, but I'm glad you were okay. You seem to be in good shape, too."
Rice: "Yeah! I'm going to win today, just you watch!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Go out there and teach them they bet on the wrong favorite."
Rice: "Okay!"
Hmm, it is her big debut. As a trainer, should I do something special for her? But nothing really comes to mind... What would make her happy...?
Rice: "Oniisama?"
Hachiman: "...! Ah, no, it's nothing. Just thinking a bit. You just focus on the race, Rice."
Rice: "Okay. Well then, Oniisama, I'm off!"
Something that would make Rice happy...
...
...
...
...Nope. I can only think of making food or patting her head.
Location: Spectator Stand
Alright, I need to watch Rice's first battle closely. I gave her a strategy, but honestly, all I told her was to secure a forward position. Rice's running style is Senkou (Leader/Stalker); with the small field size, I figured it was better to place her near the front from the get-go. So, I gave her rough instructions to just 'stick to the front.' Besides, we've done plenty of image training for Niigata's final straight, so she should be able to judge when to launch her spurt on her own.
Announcer: "Niigata Race 3, the Make Debut race is about to unfold! Let's introduce the top three favorites! Third favorite is Gallop Leader, full of spirit! Rice Shower, this girl is the second favorite! She looks very composed! And the first favorite is Daiichi Riyumon—can she answer the fans' expectations? Now, Ines Brave in the far outer Bracket 8, Number 10, has entered the gate! The great battle on Niigata's long straight begins now! Make Debut! They're off!"
CLACK!!
Announcer: "It's a clean start!! Every Uma Musume dashed out well! Going to the front is Ines Brave! Following her is Daiichi Riyumon, and Rice Shower is in third! Right behind them, Ines Tokio, Caesar's Kid, and Pocota Smile are lined up! They are running energetically down the Niigata specialty: the backstretch straight of over 900 meters!"
She's in a good position. Better yet, she got lucky and slotted in right along the rail. With this, she can control her speed until the last moment and conserve stamina.
Announcer: "They enter the second corner and move into the gentle curve. The leader hasn't changed, it's Ines Brave! Daiichi Riyumon follows! And right on her heels is Rice Shower! Ines Tokio is alone in fourth! Behind her, Caesar's Kid and Pocota Smile look ready to pull even! Daiseiryu and Gallop Leader follow with momentum. Senoe Orion is ninth, and trailing in the rear is Fujino Promise!"
They're about halfway through... If this were a long-distance race, she could start her spurt around here without issue, but this is a medium-distance race. Still, I left the judgment to Rice. She'll handle it.
Announcer: "They've rounded the fourth corner and entered the straight! But there's still 800 meters left! It's too early for a spurt!—But wait, Rice Shower has taken the lead a step early! Rice Shower is pulling away from the pack!!"
Rice: (I trained so much with Oniisama... So something like this... is totally fine!!)
Announcer: "Now the Uma Musume behind her launch their spurts all at once!! But Rice Shower is still in the lead!! She's widening the gap significantly!! Moving up to second is Daiichi Riyumon! Ines Brave and Ines Tokio are fighting for third!! Passing the remaining 200 meters!! Rice Shower is strong, too strong!! She's widening the lead even further!! Is it already decided?! Daiichi Riyumon is chasing hard, but she won't reach! Rice Shower crosses the finish line alone!! This is strength! Absolute, overwhelming strength!!"
...I didn't expect her to open up a gap that big. That was unforeseen. And she casually pulled off a long spurt like it was nothing. That girl... she did something a little bit outside the realm of common sense.
Niigata Race 3 – Results
1st: ⑧ Rice Shower [2:02.6]
2nd: ⑨ Daiichi Riyumon [7 Lengths]
3rd: ⑤ Ines Tokio [4 Lengths]
4th: ⑩ Ines Brave [3 Lengths]
5th: ④ Gallop Leader [1/2 Length]
Post-Chapter Note
Rice, defying common sense with a slightly early spurt...
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