With the conclusion of the Winner's Stage.
The decisive battle of the first half of the year—the Takarazuka Kinen—thus came to an end.
The racing season for the first half of the year was also over.
Soon, it would be time for the annual summer training camp, for which Tracen Academy had spared no expense to book an entire beach, allowing the Uma Musume to rest and recharge.
"Congratulations to Barbatos for becoming Japan's number one Uma Musume!"
At the Canopus celebration party, Twin Turbo raised her juice glass high, swiping the lines that rightfully belonged to their trainer, Minamizaka. Not that Minamizaka minded, though.
Clink~
Glasses filled to the brim with juice bumped together.
With the Takarazuka Kinen over, until August began, aside from a few select races, the entire summer training camp period had no major events.
Since none of the Canopus team members were competing during the camp, this celebration feast for Barbatos's Takarazuka Kinen victory was a perfect excuse to eat to their hearts' content.
At least for today, they didn't have to watch their diet or weight for the sake of races.
"Ah! I'm so hyped! I've never been to the beach before!"
Twin Turbo started daydreaming about the good times ahead at summer camp.
A glint of light reflected off Ikuno Dictus's glasses. "But before summer camp, there are the end-of-term exams for the first half of the year."
"If you fail them, you'll have to attend remedial classes during the camp to catch up on what you didn't learn."
"Heh, just a few exams? No way they can stop me, Twin Turbo!"
Twin Turbo proclaimed confidently. In the face of enticing summer camp, a paltry exam was nothing!
Urara, who had just come back from seeing King Halo off, looked a bit puzzled. "But... didn't you fail all your last exams, Twin Turbo?"
"That was just me holding back my true power! This time, I'll show those examiners what I'm really made of!"
Twin Turbo planted her hands on her hips, radiating an aura that knew no equal.
Looking at Twin Turbo across the table, Barbatos could already guess the outcome: she'd probably fail spectacularly and spend the entire summer camp buried in remedial studies.
Still, she kind of enjoyed seeing Twin Turbo so wildly confident.
"By the way."
Minamizaka cleared his throat softly, turning his gaze to Barbatos and Seiun Sky. "Do you two have any plans for the races in the second half of the year?"
Normally, while Uma Musume have some say in their race schedules, the general direction is handled by their trainers. Yet Minamizaka still wanted to ask for Barbatos and Seiun Sky's opinions.
"For the second half, I'm mainly thinking about three G1 races: the Shuka Sho, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen."
"If possible, I'd also like to add the Queen Elizabeth II Cup."
Yeah, if possible, Barbatos would also sign up for the Autumn Tenno Sho, which is close to the Shuka Sho date-wise, and the Mile Championship, which is near the Japan Cup.
The Autumn Tenno Sho would give her another chance to clash with Silence Suzuka, and for the Mile Championship, Taiki Shuttle would likely enter too.
If she took part in those two races, she'd probably gain a lot.
But Barbatos didn't voice this. Even though she wasn't worried about her body being unable to handle two high-intensity races in a short time, she wasn't overconfident.
The internet and officials might call her "Japan's number one" now, but when it came to G1-level races, she still needed to be thoroughly prepared to ensure nothing went too wrong.
If two races were too close together, the pre-race preparations for either one might not be sufficient, increasing the risk of failure.
As for why she chose the Japan Cup over the Mile Championship...
Besides her promise to Silence Suzuka to have a real showdown in the Japan Cup, she also wanted to test herself against the reigning champions from overseas.
Listening to Barbatos's plans for the second half...
Minamizaka couldn't help but press his hand to his forehead. The initial three G1 races didn't faze him, but the Queen Elizabeth II Cup... she sure had guts.
It wasn't that the Queen Elizabeth II Cup was off-limits, but adding it would mean three races—Shuka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Japan Cup—all crammed into a month and a half.
That could easily run Barbatos into the ground...
Did Barbatos have no sense of her own limits?!
"The Queen Elizabeth II Cup... I'd advise against it. Leave yourself enough rest time. I'll make a note of the Shuka Sho, Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen for now."
Minamizaka didn't outright forbid the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. If Barbatos insisted on joining, he'd still help her register.
"Hmm, okay, I'll skip the Queen Elizabeth II Cup then."
Barbatos didn't push it. She knew Minamizaka was just concerned for her.
But then, a thought seemed to cross her mind. The main issue with the Queen Elizabeth II Cup was its placement right between the Shuka Sho and Japan Cup, making the consecutive races worry Minamizaka.
Given that the first half of the year had focused on mile, intermediate, and long grass races, it seemed she'd overlooked something.
While Japanese races are known for G1 grass events at mile, intermediate, and long distances...
Other races still existed. For instance, the short-distance grass G1, which suited her best, and the dirt G1 events.
Considering she could ignore collisions regardless of unit volume, grass and dirt didn't really make a difference to her.
But dirt races were probably out. The second-half dirt G1 schedule conflicted similarly with the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
And then there was a short-distance grass G1...
"Minamizaka, if it's possible, I'd like to add the September Sprinters Stakes."
Barbatos flashed a confident smile. "How can Japan's number one Uma Musume not have a short-distance G1 victory to her name?"
"Short distance?"
Knowing Barbatos's capabilities well, Minamizaka naturally understood just how terrifying she could be over short distances.
When Barbatos unleashed her fearsome final burst—normally reserved for the home stretch—in a short-distance race...
Few Uma Musume would stand a chance against her.
"Got it. The Sprinters Stakes, Shuka Sho, Japan Cup, Arima Kinen. I'll register you for those."
If she could win both the Sprinters Stakes and the Shuka Sho, Barbatos would become yet another undefeated triple crown winner and a seven-time G1 champion.
"What about you, Seiun Sky?"
Minamizaka turned his attention to Seiun Sky.
Seiun Sky looked somewhat listless. "Not entirely decided yet."
"For the second-half G1s, I'm thinking of joining the Kikuka Sho and the Japan Cup."
"Okay."
Minamizaka nodded, jotting down those two races. "Wait..."
"You're both entering the Japan Cup?!"
This was the first time Minamizaka had encountered two of his own trainees competing in the same race. For a moment, he wasn't sure what to say.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 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.