Chapter 75: Letting Kitasan Learn from Gold Ship?
With this training method in mind, Makoto naturally planned to ask Daiwa Scarlet and the others for help.
A single paired-run training session is divided into several groups. Depending on the situation, one session can take as little as an hour or stretch into several hours.
Training races, however, take much less time.
Although the intensity of a training race is lower than that of an official race, the duration isn't much shorter—still just a matter of a few minutes.
As long as rest after the training is handled properly, this method's scheduling can be much more flexible.
That way, there's no need to worry about interfering with Daiwa Scarlet and the others' work or studies.
What Makoto hadn't expected was that before he could even figure out how to bring up his training idea, Special Week suddenly mentioned the "Summer Dream Trophy League" as a perfect opportunity.
Just as he had explained earlier, the Dream Trophy League is the "All-Star Invitational" of the Twinkle Series.
Its grade is G1, and it's a true G1—because every year, without exception, all invited Dream Trophy League participants are Umamusume who have previously won a G1 race.
Although these Umamusume have already retired, their extraordinary skill and talent during their racing careers still guarantee the race's intensity and excitement.
Every one of them is a star renowned across Japan and even overseas. It's no exaggeration to say that even if they didn't actually race, fans would still flock in the thousands just to see them once more standing on the green track.
Such an event naturally helps maintain and boost the Twinkle Series' popularity.
In addition, it contributes to the growth of current and future Umamusume.
The Umamusume invited to participate in the Dream Trophy League have unquestionable skill and experience.
Once the entry list, venue, and schedule are confirmed, the invited Umamusume will head to the academy branch closest to the venue to prepare.
During this period, the students and trainers there can submit applications to seek advice from those famous racers, or even arrange paired runs and training races with them.
Makoto had always been aware of the Dream Trophy League, but had never given it much thought.
He'd only been in Tokyo for half a year at most. Even if he wanted to apply, the academy could approve it, but he'd still have to queue up to meet those star Umamusume.
However, thanks to Kitasan Black's naturally warm, kind personality and the good relationships she'd built, in these past few months he had already gotten to know some of those Umamusume—and had even conducted a fair number of training sessions with their help.
So, taking advantage of the Dream Trophy League to bring up his plans for training races shouldn't be a problem.
While Makoto was rapidly thinking it over, the Umamusume' conversation shifted to Kitasan Black's upcoming training and races.
"But as for the Triple Crown experience…"
Special Week scratched her head a little awkwardly after sipping some carrot juice.
"I lost both the Satsuki Sho and the Kikuka Sho to Seiun Sky, so maybe only the Japanese Derby would actually be of any help…"
Kitasan Black quickly shook her head.
"Please don't say that, Special Week-senpai. I've only run three races so far—there's still so much I need to learn, and all of your experience is valuable to me!"
Vodka nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, Special Week. And since Scarlet and I won't have as much free time as before, over the next week we can probably only run with Kita-chan once or twice. You can take that chance to talk with Kita-chan and Makoto-kun more about the Triple Crown."
"With how well Kita-chan did in the Spring Stakes this time, she's got a real shot at the Satsuki Sho."
Her eyes shifted, and she glanced at the Gold Ship, who was busy stuffing her face.
"Oh right, Golshi—hold off on eating for a sec. You're the only one at this table who's actually won the Satsuki Sho, so shouldn't you share some advice with Kita-chan?"
The moment she said that, aside from Kitasan Black's eager look at Gold Ship, both Daiwa Scarlet and Special Week's expressions turned rather… complicated.
Ahhmm…chew chew chew—gulp.
After downing a big piece of steak, Gold Ship wiped her mouth, rubbed her chin with her thumb and forefinger, looked at Vodka, then at Kitasan Black, then at Makoto, and finally back at Vodka again.
"So… you're sure you want Kita-chan to learn from me?"
For a moment, Vodka's expression froze.
"…You're right. I really wasn't thinking…"
Her mouth twitched slightly, and she glanced awkwardly at Kitasan Black with a forced laugh.
"Ahaha… um, Kita-chan, could you maybe… pretend you didn't hear what I just said?"
Kitasan Black was stunned.
"Eh? What… what's going on?"
Then she furrowed her brows, tapping her chin in thought for a moment.
"I feel like Gold Ship-senpai's Satsuki Sho run was amazing… Can't I learn from her?"
"Well, that race was indeed one of my great performances—I won't deny that."
Casually acknowledging her past glory, Gold Ship's expression turned serious.
"But you know me, Kita-chan—I've never paid much attention to whatever my trainer planned."
"So even if you wanted to learn my running style, I wouldn't know how to teach you, since half the time even I can't explain what I did."
"Take the Satsuki Sho, for example."
"That day, it poured rain. Ten races had already been run before ours, and the track conditions were horrible."
"Especially the inside lane—it was like someone had dumped oil and glue on it, slick and sticky at the same time."
"I don't know if Makoto-san's ever told you about that kind of track, but generally, no Umamusume would take the inside lane in those conditions."
"But…"
Grinning proudly, she hooked her thumb toward herself.
"I'm not your average Umamusume."
"I remember it vividly—back then, I thought, 'Wow, the inside lane is so wide open, why is everyone cramming into the outside?' So I just charged straight down the inside and went from there to first place in one go."
"But honestly, if I tried running on a track like that again, I might just slip and fall flat on my face."
"Besides, I asked Scarlet and Vodka—they told me you're better at running as a front runner."
"But I'm an end closer. What are you going to learn from me—how to fall behind?"
Mixing pride with a hint of teasing, she went on until she noticed the disappointed look on Kitasan Black's face. Then Gold Ship broke into a hearty laugh.
"Hey now, Kita-chan, no need to be so down. Scarlet and the others are already finding ways to help you—like I'd just stand by and watch? Of course I'll find a way to help!
"But as for exactly how I can help… I think…"
Her eyes glinted as she looked toward Makoto.
"We should probably hear what your trainer has to say."
At that, Kitasan Black and the others all turned to look at him as well.
Truth be told, in the past, Makoto would never have considered asking Gold Ship for help—her reputation for eccentricity was simply too strong.
Yet after seeing Special Week earlier, and now Gold Ship, he was surprised to realize that no matter the rumors or appearances, when it came to races—or running in general—they both had a surprisingly clear understanding of the sport.
His first impression of Special Week had been that she was a bit of an airhead, but despite that, she could immediately pick out key points in Kitasan's races.
Gold Ship was the same—she had just said she often didn't know what she was doing, but then proceeded to explain the conditions of the Satsuki Sho in perfect detail.
Given that, perhaps the best and most sensible approach was to set aside preconceptions from outside rumors, see these Umamusume' abilities with his own eyes, and think about how to use them to improve Kitasan Black's performance.
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