"Huh?"
"Choose to receive guidance or a training match from a G1 long-distance champion senior?"
"Or... win another graded race within a month to prove myself?"
Lin Anran quickly grasped the situation.
The current URA was absolutely invested in Platinum, to the point of wanting her to become stronger and serve as the face of Japan's horse girl racing world.
That's why they specifically had Tracen Academy invite an active G1 long-distance champion Uma Musume to help Platinum improve her long-distance running.
They were clearly terrified that some dark horse with shocking ability might appear in the Kikuka-shō, defeat Platinum, and completely dash their hopes of an Irregular Triple Crown...
And from what Lin Anran knew about Manhattan Cafe's situation, that judgment and worry seemed absolutely justified!
In terms of raw long-distance ability and achievements, Manhattan Cafe was on a level worthy of being recorded in Japanese history. She just stayed low-key, never showing off, which made her seem less dazzling.
If she were given the highest level of promotion, on par with the Emperor's... it wouldn't just blanket all of Japan, it would probably be top-tier international publicity, right?
If she ran well in the Kikuka-shō, she might even start gradually attracting overseas fans.
So, you could really say the URA was being useful here. And these two choices were genuinely set towards very favorable outcomes for Platinum.
First, getting a specialized long-distance G1 champion—even many prestigious horse girl families might not be able to manage that.
After all, there are only three long-distance G1 races: the Kikuka-shō, the Arima Kinen, and the Tennō-shō (Spring). It's possible for a single horse girl to win them multiple times, so active champions are exceedingly rare.
Not only that, but the second choice was simply to "win another graded race," without specifying it had to be a G1 or G2 race.
Even if Platinum chose to challenge the lowest-level G3 race, it would still serve as a reassurance for the URA higher-ups, and that would be enough.
It was plain to see: the URA was really going all-in on the Heavenly Pegasus! None of their past arrogance or stubbornness was showing; instead, they were pampering Platinum like a beloved daughter.
Such extraordinary treatment—if a certain popular superstar, a grey Monster who couldn't even participate in the classic races, found out about it, she'd probably be spamming question marks, right?
'One option is a training match or receiving guidance...'
'The other is winning another race and pocketing more prize money?'
The lazy doctor's first instinct was to consider refusing, but then he remembered that the URA's support and promotional efforts were still very necessary.
Lin Anran's initial reaction was to immediately discard the first option.
After all, whether it's receiving training or having a practice race with an excellent long-distance senior... there's no profit in it!
Even if you perform well, even if you win, you don't earn any prize money, right?
So, the black-hearted young doctor first vetoed the pointless training.
That left only the final option...
'Run another race, then?'
So, which race should she choose?
Beststrategy: Pick a G3, slack off a bit, make it quick, just go through the motions.
Okay strategy: Go for a G2. The difficulty is neither high nor low, stuck in an awkward middle ground.
Worststrategy: Go completely crazy! Challenge a G1 race within the month!
The current Heavenly Pegasus, Platinum, had just won the Oaks in the first half of May and the Japanese Derby in the second half.
If she chose another G1 race within the same month... that level of frequent racing would be utterly unprecedented in Japanese history.
Three G1 challenges in just over a month—that would be on par with the world-famous American Triple Crown!
Even in the world-class, top-tier dirt racing scene of the US, the number of Triple Crown horse girls bred over a century could be counted on one hand. For the US, it's a once-in-a-decade event.
So, achieving three consecutive G1 wins in just over a month is incredibly, unbelievably difficult, no matter where you are in the world.
That's why even the URA only set the goal as "win a graded race." The meaning was clear:
"Little master, just win any low-level graded race you want. We'll handle the hype afterward, touting your frequent racing and strength as nearly on par with an American Triple Crown winner!"
The URA backline could just go all-in, mindlessly promoting Platinum, but the Heavenly Pegasus on the frontlines had a lot more to consider.
For example, which race to enter, how much prize money it offered, whether to change running tactics this time...
"So the main issue now is picking a suitable race."
"This is really tough to choose..."
Lin Anran promptly turned on his desktop computer, logged into the URA official race website, and started searching for races.
Among the G1 races meeting the criteria within the next month, he saw...
The mile-distance G1 Yasuda Kinen, and the middle-distance G1 Takarazuka Kinen.
The Yasuda Kinen is over a thousand meters—a completely different rhythm from a middle-long distance race. Challenging a mile race wouldn't do much to prove long-distance adaptability.
The Takarazuka Kinen, on the other hand, is the first half of the year's all-star race. It determines popularity slots based on audience votes, allowing popular horse girls to earn entry.
In other words... this is where you'd find many older, peak-era monster seniors!
Therefore, historically, almost no horse girls chose to challenge the Takarazuka Kinen. Usually, they'd wait until after the Kikuka-shō, continue growing and getting stronger in the second half of the year, and then challenge the senior horse girls for the throne.
"G2 is awkward, neither high nor low. I'll discard that first."
"As for G3 races, there are plenty of options. Just sign up for any one and muddle through. It's the best choice for slacking off, but... there's not much prize money."
"For G1, it's a choice between the Yasuda Kinen and the Takarazuka Kinen. Add them to the application plan and think about it."
What's slightly tricky is that there's another all-star race like this in the second half of the year: the Arima Kinen, Japan's final G1 of the year and also the most prestigious G1 race!
Countless annual strongest horse girls have been crowned number one of the year by conquering the Arima Kinen. So you could say the Arima Kinen holds even more prestige than this Takarazuka Kinen.
But currently, for Platinum, it seemed there were no other G1 choices among Japanese G1 races; only the Yasuda Kinen and Takarazuka Kinen were available to choose from.
Lin Anran remembered that Tokai Teio said she would challenge either the Takarazuka Kinen or the Tennō-shō (Autumn).
Should she cross schedules to prove adaptability beyond middle distance, or face Tokai Teio directly?
'Wait, if I beat Teio then, the money from Teio's share as the runner-up... wouldn't that be significantly less?'
Lin Anran suddenly realized a major point!
What to do, what to choose...
Even though the prize money share from someone like Teio is only a small part of the champion's total purse, deliberately giving up a G1 challenge just to get a slightly larger share from Teio's winnings would be weird.
Lin Anran didn't consider himself the kind of fool who picks up seeds only to drop the fruit.
The black-hearted young doctor pondered deeply, hesitating, wondering if there was some way to have the best of both worlds.
Finally, he gave up thinking.
"Then I'll just close the clinic and take the morning off."
"Might as well transform into Platinum, go for a walk around Tracen, and ask the little fillies for suggestions."
Platinum, released!
--+--
A short while later.
At the gates of Tracen Academy.
A mature woman wearing a green hat was smiling warmly, gently urging along young horse girls who were trotting briskly.
"Hurry up, you're almost late."
As the chairman's secretary, Hayakawa Tazuna stood at the gate like a guard, welcoming some little fillies who were cutting it close.
After wave after wave of young, energetic horse girls rushed into the school grounds, Hayakawa Tazuna glanced down at her watch, confirmed it was class time, and turned to leave.
"Alright, time's up..."
But in the next instant!
Another set of rapid footsteps made Hayakawa Tazuna pause. The green-hatted woman let out a slightly helpless sigh.
"Which little one is late for school aga..."
As she turned back, Hayakawa Tazuna seemed to see an unbelievable visitor. Her pupils constricted sharply.
"Platinum?!"
After clearly seeing the arriving petite, silver-white figure, Hayakawa Tazuna exclaimed instantly.
She knew very well—this was the little grey filly that everyone from Chairman Akikawa Yayoi to Student Council President Symboli Rudolf had been thinking about for a long time.
Back when this little Heavenly Pegasus won her G3 graded race, she had already gained some fame. Hayakawa had judged then that Platinum could definitely become a G1 champion, maybe even challenge for the Triple Crown.
Looking at it now, that evaluation had still underestimated Platinum.
Why wait for the future? In just a month, Platinum had gone from a recent debutante and G3 champion to an Irregular Double Crown winner, a two-time G1 winner, a new generation ruler!
Such an excellent little filly, with what seemed to be the most popular grey coat color—who wouldn't like her?
"My previous visit was rather rushed; I didn't get to fully explore Tracen Academy."
Platinum's expression was unreadable. She directly asked Hayakawa Tazuna, one of Tracen's decision-makers.
"I have some free time recently. May I come in for another look around?"
"Of course, you are most welcome."
The green-hatted woman smiled slightly and nodded at Platinum.
As for her original work... it could be pushed back. She could deal with it later.
Opportunities to interact with Japan's current most adorable grey, unconventional double crown horse girl were rare.
"If you don't mind, allow me to show Miss Platinum around."
--+--
Five minutes later.
Following Hayakawa Tazuna, Platinum stepped inside Tracen Academy.
As they walked, Hayakawa Tazuna introduced Tracen's environment, education, its many excellent horse girls, and other unique features.
Just as Hayakawa Tazuna was planning to proceed gradually, using this chance to properly invite Platinum to join Tracen Academy...
The current Miss Pegasus was looking ahead, her attention not really focused.
'Right, I've treated quite a few small fry fillies during this time.'
'I already collected the race rewards before. Now it's time to collect the treatment rewards.'
Immediately, Platinum quickly opened her system panel.
[Note: Victory rewards and treatment rewards will gradually be enhanced based on the number of G1 wins.]
[Treatment Rewards: Claim]
[Treated: Neko Punch (Minor Injury)]
[Treatment Reward: Horse Mint +2% (enhances both pre and post-transformation), Platinum Maturation +1%]
[Treated: Usami Misato (Minor Injury)]
[Treatment Reward: Horse Mint +2% (enhances both pre and post-transformation)]
[Treated: Chiba Shiina (Minor Injury)]
[Treatment Reward: Horse Mint +1% (enhances both pre and post-transformation), Platinum Maturation +1%]
...
After claiming the treatment rewards, a flicker of surprise passed through Platinum's eyes.
This batch of treatment rewards was quite different from the previous two.
First, the rewards used to be consistently +1% pre-transformation Horse Mint.
Now not only had it doubled, going from 1% to a chance of 2%, but it also changed from only enhancing pre-transformation to enhancing both pre and post-transformation.
And not just that—the rewards actually included... Maturation??
Maturation was something Platinum had been concerned about for a while. Ever since her Maturation progress reached 15%, it had been stuck, not increasing at all.
So, the Miss Pegasus had prepared herself, thinking she wouldn't continue growing until after the Irregular Triple Crown was complete.
Who would have thought that winning more G1 races would also enhance the treatment rewards??
'It seems I can't choose a G3 race then. Not only is the prize money low, it would mean the treatment rewards also get no boost...'
'Although I don't know what this Horse Mint is, since it's here and I've claimed it, it's better than nothing, right?'
'Not to mention, Maturation is definitely a good thing!'
Instantly, Platinum's mood became considerably more cheerful.
The Assassin girl's instinctive resistance to overtime work lessened slightly.
Since she had to work overtime anyway, was there much difference between a G3 and a G1? Maybe she shouldn't slack off...
Beside her, the senior Hayakawa Tazuna, who was leading the way, suddenly seemed to smell something pleasant. Her breathing quickened slightly.
'Hmm? What's that smell? Quite fragrant...'
The next moment, Platinum directly asked with interest.
"Senior Hayakawa, may I ask you a question?"
"What other G1 races are there in the coming month?"
As a seasoned senior with extensive knowledge of numerous races, Hayakawa Tazuna answered without hesitation, like an encyclopedia.
"The Japanese G1 Takarazuka Kinen, the International G1 Epsom Derby, the International G1..."
When the Epsom Derby was mentioned, Platinum jolted.
Huh?
Ah!
Right, the Epsom Derby!
She immediately looked down, pulled out her phone, and searched for keywords.
The timing works. She can enter!
[Epsom Derby, early June]
[Currently confirmed participating horse girls: Galileo...]!!
Galileo? Wait, that name sounds familiar, like I've heard it somewhere before...
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.