Chapter 277: Isn't This the Gold Family's Place?
For an international race like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it's hard to make a practical and workable decision without firsthand experience.
Moreover, Kitasan Black had only just entered a crucial phase in her career. Any decision regarding major races had to be made with great caution.
So, while Kitasan Black continued helping organize the documents, Makoto slowly explained his earlier thoughts:
"…So, the Arc involves too many complex factors."
"From race scheduling to the strength of opponents, from adapting overseas to managing stamina—every aspect needs careful consideration."
"Like I analyzed before, even half a year of preparation might not be enough to achieve something in a race like the Arc."
"But you're currently on the rise, we can't have you stay away from Japanese races for too long."
"So, just like you said, we'll wait until after going to Dubai, experience the atmosphere and intensity of overseas races firsthand, and then make further plans."
Kitasan Black listened attentively, nodding lightly.
After Makoto finished, she summed it up in her own way:
"In that case, our main focus for now will still be Almond Eye."
"And from what Trainer's saying, if we want to win major races overseas, it's best to start preparing early."
"Almond Eye is just getting started now, so if she begins learning about international racing and training concepts from this point, she'll definitely have a better chance at challenging world-class G1 races than I do."
"Of course, I won't give up easily either—I'll keep improving myself, and someday I'll shine on the international stage too."
At this point, her eyes sparkled with determination.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Kitasan Black asked Makoto:
"Also, Almond Eye's entrance exam is in a few days, but your arm is still injured."
"So tomorrow, besides training Almond Eye, how about we do what we did before the Arima Kinen—go check out how her rivals are training? I happen to know where some of them train."
Makoto was slightly taken aback and asked in surprise, "How do you know that?"
Kitasan Black smiled and explained:
"Wasn't I out shopping with Satono Crown and the others? While chatting, we happened to talk about Almond Eye and Satono Goddess, and naturally that led to discussing her other rivals."
"I see…"
After a moment, Makoto finally understood.
Having already experienced observing opponents' training while preparing for the Arima Kinen, he felt that compared to preparing alone, working together with the increasingly mature Kitasan Black would indeed be more efficient.
Moreover, his injury still affected him quite a bit. If Kitasan Black could improve further through this kind of preparation, both Almond Eye's upcoming preparation and her own training would go much more smoothly.
After a brief moment of thought, he quickly agreed:
"Alright, we'll do as you say. Tomorrow, we'll go take a look."
…
Not particularly worried about the reliability of Kitasan Black's information—and reassured by her confident promise to handle everything—Makoto decided not to overthink it.
After a night passed, the next day, once they finished training Almond Eye, Makoto followed Kitasan Black to a very familiar place.
"Isn't this… Orfevre and Gold Ship's house?" Makoto said in astonishment as he looked at the residence before them—though not luxurious, it was quite spacious.
"Yeah, Lucky Lilac is actually the cousin of Orfevre and Gold Ship."
Kitasan Black looked at Makoto with the same surprise, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Trainer, you didn't know?"
"I didn't."
Makoto admitted honestly, looking a bit embarrassed. "I only focused on her running style and past performance… as for her pedigree, I never really looked into it."
"Looks like I've done better homework than you in this area, Trainer."
Kitasan Black lifted her chin playfully, brimming with confidence. "So today, you'll just have to follow my lead."
Seeing her joking like this—a rare sight—Makoto played along. "Alright then, I'll be in your care, Kita-sensei."
"Huh? W-wait, 'Kita-sensei'… you don't have to put it like that…"
Kitasan Black's cheeks turned slightly red, clearly a bit embarrassed. She quickly changed the subject and pointed toward the gate of the Gold family estate.
"Ah, that's Takatoshi Imanami-san and Stay Gold-senpai. Trainer, let's go say hello."
The two quickly walked toward the entrance. There, they saw an elderly man with white hair wearing a baseball cap, talking with an Umamusume who had long black hair tied in a ponytail.
Noticing Kitasan Black and Makoto approaching, the old man smiled kindly, while the Umamusume gave a polite nod.
"Imanami-san, Stay Gold-senpai, long time no see." Kitasan Black greeted them sweetly, her voice clear and cheerful.
The old man was Takatoshi Imanami, the most experienced trainer of the Gold family. Having personally trained many outstanding and powerful Umamusume, he was widely renowned in the field.
The black-haired Umamusume beside him was Stay Gold. She carried a sharp and composed aura—she was the older sister of Orfevre and Gold Ship, and had also achieved respectable results on the track.
Kitasan Black had already contacted them the day before, so upon seeing her and Makoto, Imanami smiled warmly and replied, "Ah, Kita-chan, long time no see. Come in, come in."
Stay Gold also smiled. "Kita-chan, Yasui-san,welcome to our home."
After exchanging greetings, the group headed together toward the small training ground inside the estate.
Along the way, Imanami and Stay Gold enthusiastically introduced some of the recent changes to the property.
Makoto and Kitasan Black listened while taking in their surroundings. Before long, they arrived at the training ground.
Even before getting close, they could already hear loud arguing from inside—along with some commentary that sounded half like mediation, half like fanning the flames.
"That kind of training method only works for you, okay? Lucky Lilac needs to build a solid endurance foundation first before worrying about sprint techniques!"
"If you don't bring out her power and explosiveness early on, then even if her endurance is good later, what's the point if she can't accelerate when it matters? Lilac, listen to me—my 'mochi-pounding training method' definitely works!"
"I'm telling you, you two—every time you get together, you argue. Can't you just talk this out properly…?"
"How about this… why don't you two just race? 2000, 2400, 2500, or even 3000 meters—it doesn't matter, you've both run them before anyway."
Hearing the argument, Imanami could only smile wryly and shake his head helplessly, as if to say that his "kids" would never grow up.
Stay Gold raised a hand to her forehead, faint veins bulging at her temple.
Meanwhile, Makoto and Kitasan Black stood off to the side, their lips twitching awkwardly.