At the same time, on another training ground, Sirius Symboli and Mihono Bourbon were doing their respective training.
The former seemed to think of something and suddenly asked, “Hey, Mihono Bourbon, do you have any good ways to deal with Polaris Glacier’s aura interference at the start of a race?”
She had personally experienced that extremely cold aura that could freeze her body.
If they couldn’t find a way to deal with it, they wouldn’t even be qualified to catch up to Polaris Glacier.
Hearing this, Mihono Bourbon also stopped, thought for a moment, and turned her head to say, “Willpower.”
“Breaking through the solid ice with an instant of strong willpower will suffice.”
After so many runs alongside Polaris Glacier, she had come to understand a few things.
Facing that extremely cold aura, fear was meaningless; only by fighting back could there be a glimmer of hope.
And among these, willpower was the decisive factor.
“Strong willpower?”
Sirius Symboli listened, her brows furrowing unconsciously: “Speaking of which, Polaris Glacier did mention this, saying that willpower would drive the body to act and unleash unimaginable power…”
It wasn’t that she didn’t believe it, but such a thing was truly indescribable and intangible, even the feeling was vague.
“Yes, that’s it. Only Horse Girl with strong willpower can break through the snow and wind to see true glory.”
Mihono Bourbon’s eyes were firm, and she clenched her fists: “I won’t give up. I will definitely qualify, and I will definitely catch up, absolutely!”
“Sirius Symboli, you’re the same, right?”
“Me?”
Looking at the other party’s determined expression, Sirius Symboli parted her lips slightly but didn’t give a definitive answer immediately.
She just turned her head and forced a smile: “Who knows…”
Time gradually advanced with training and study, and soon it was April 14th.
This day was a Sunday, and also the day the Satsuki Sho was held.
It’s worth mentioning that it had been raining continuously before this day, but thankfully, it finally stopped yesterday.
After the rain, the weather today was excellent, and the Horse Girl were also spared the possibility of running in the rain.
Just after nine in the morning, a large number of spectators had already gathered inside the Nakayama Racecourse.
In this somewhat noisy environment, discussions could be heard from time to time:
“Although it’s not good to say this to other Horse Girl, I think the Six Crowns are already Polaris Glare’s property; the race is just a formality for her to win.”
“Hey, hey, what you’re saying is really too much. Other Horse Girl also work very hard, and they have their own shining points.”
After a slight pause.
“It’s just… unfortunate that they were born in the same generation as Polaris Glare.”
As the words fell, the surroundings fell into a brief silence.
And as if to dispel this inappropriate atmosphere, someone quickly changed the subject and said, “Speaking of which, why don’t we guess who will cross the finish line first today, besides Polaris Glare?”
“Oh? Sure, I guess Sakura Sunday King. I watched her race not long ago, and her performance was quite good.”
“I guess Scrum Dyna.”
“I guess Soda Falcon, just to make up the top three.”
“Hmm? Since you’re like that, then I’ll put my hopes on Mihono Bourbon.”
“As the Horse Girl currently with the smallest gap to Polaris Glare, she will definitely have a dazzling performance.”
Regardless of the audience’s thoughts, at this moment in the Players' Lounge .
Polaris Glacier changed into her winning uniform and walked out of the changing room.
Her expression was somewhat indifferent. Knowing that no one in her generation could catch up to her, her emotions showed no upward trend.
There was no excitement, no anticipation, only the self-evident certainty of her victory.
“Today will probably be a solo performance. Races here in Japan are no longer interesting.”
Walking to the mirror to admire herself in the dress, the voice in her heart continued to sound: “It was really good to decide to participate in international competitions early. Three Derby races in different countries will also serve as a prelude to reaching the top of the world.”
“When I step onto the international stage, I should be able to meet some stronger opponents.”
“As for now, I’ll just…”
“Achieve this victory that belongs to me and claim my second Crown.”
As her words fell, Polaris Glacier turned and pushed open the door, stepping out and heading towards the track.
In another lounge, Mihono Bourbon had also changed into her winning uniform—a short, light knight-style dress with golden patterns, a long red cape, and dark stockings on her legs, with a dark green bandage specially tied on her left calf.
This was her first G1 race, so it was also the first time she wore her winning uniform.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she nodded slightly with a smile on her lips.
The next moment, an aura suddenly appeared around her, her expression instantly became determined, and her fighting spirit continuously surged in her eyes.
“Polaris Glacier… no, Polaris Glare, I will do my utmost to pursue you, betting everything!”
Clenching one hand into a fist and placing it over her heart, she spoke formally, as if making an oath.
Then, her cape swaying, she turned and pushed open the door, walking towards the racecourse.
In yet another lounge, Sirius Symboli had also changed into her winning uniform and was sitting on a chair with her head down:
“Strong willpower, huh… it’s so easy to say…”
“If you haven’t personally experienced that extreme cold, how could you understand?”
She suddenly stood up, shaking her head dejectedly, and shouted angrily: “That feeling of being trapped in solid ice is simply not something that can be resisted by willpower…!”
“Hoo-ha… Hoo-ha…”
Just then, the indoor broadcast suddenly sounded: “It is almost time for the race to begin. Please enter, contestants.”
“Repeating, please enter, contestants.”
“Damn it!”
Sirius Symboli cursed again and pushed the door open, walking out.
The commentary and live broadcast for this race were handled by a man and a woman. At this moment, the Announcer (Female) was giving the opening remarks:
“The continuous heavy rain has finally stopped. On the sun-drenched Nakayama Racecourse, 22 Horse Girl have gathered.”
“The first race of the Classic Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho.”
“The most attention-grabbing contestant is, of course, Polaris Glare Polaris Glacier.”
“Under the gaze of numerous spectators, the Horse Girl participating in this race are officially beginning their entrance.”
As the words fell, the audience’s gazes followed towards the contestant aisle .
A figure in a black dress was seen walking out first, her long blue hair swaying slightly in the wind.
It was none other than the strongest contender for the championship, Polaris Glare, who had dominated the entire generation with overwhelming performance.
Immediately, everyone cheered loudly, offering their most enthusiastic support for her arrival.
Polaris Glacier, as usual, waved to the crowd, a smile appearing on her lips.
Mihono Bourbon, who followed closely, deliberately waited until the audience’s cheers showed signs of subsiding before stepping forward and saying, “Polaris Glacier.”
“Hmm? What’s wrong, Mihono Bourbon? Is something the matter?”
Hearing this, Polaris Glacier also turned to look at her, only to see Mihono Bourbon take a deep breath and say, “I will bet everything in this race, just to catch up to you, even if it’s just a tiny bit!”
“Please… be prepared.”
As she spoke, a unique dark frost aura surged around her, consciously sweeping towards Polaris Glacier.
However, before the dark frost could touch her skin, it was blocked by a layer of platinum aura.
“Not bad, this determination.”
Polaris Glacier’s eyes showed both frost and aura, and she chuckled, “I’ll be looking forward to it, your running. Struggle as much as you like, and entertain me.”
Sirius Symboli, watching this scene from not far away, did not approach, but merely turned her head silently.
The protagonist of this race clearly did not include her.
Soon, with the sound of the opening horn, the Horse Girl walked towards the gate, entering their lanes.
“All Horse Girl have entered the gates.”
Nakayama Racecourse, turf, 2000 meters, clockwise, track condition slightly heavy.
As for the course, the Nakayama 2000 meters requires running a little more than one lap around the inner course.
It includes the initial straight, two full large turns, plus the final straight.
“G1, Satsuki Sho, now…”
The Announcer (Female)’s voice came, and all the Horse Girl adopted their pre-run stances.
“Clang!”
The gates suddenly opened, and extreme cold erupted as expected. The familiar blue-haired figure was the first to rush out.
And the other Horse Girl were all stunned in place… or were they?
A knight-like figure was seen rushing out right behind, her dark brown long hair swaying. It was none other than Mihono Bourbon.
“The race has begun! Polaris Glacier is indeed the first to start. The other Horse Girl, just like in the Sakura Laurels, are still inside the gates and haven’t rushed out…”
“Eh?”
“Something different has happened! It’s Mihono Bourbon! Mihono Bourbon didn’t stay like the other Horse Girl; she started successfully!”
“Although she’s still a bit late, this change is already surprising enough!”
Not only the Announcer (Female), but the audience also involuntarily let out exclamations of surprise.
What was going on?
If it were to develop like the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and Sakura Laurels, no Horse Girl should have been able to get out of the gate so quickly!
Was that Mihono Bourbon truly so extraordinary?!
Listening to everyone’s voices, Polaris Glacier raised an eyebrow. Sensing through the snowflakes drifting behind her, she also understood the details.
“She broke through with strong desire and will, huh? Not bad.”
She had somewhat acquired the qualification to catch up to her.
“But the real challenge is next. How will you close the distance?”
Due to the late start, there was a gap of five to six horse lengths between Mihono Bourbon and Polaris Glacier, and this gap showed a tendency to continue increasing.
Looking at the blue-haired figure ahead, Mihono Bourbon did not stop, her thoughts very clear: “The depletion of stamina can be resisted with aura, but the problem is that Polaris Glacier will accelerate after passing the turns, and this time it’s a two-turn course…”
“Here, I really need to accelerate to keep closer, don’t I?”
Thinking so, she immediately followed her judgment and quickened her pace, and the distance between them slowly began to shrink.
Polaris Glacier ran a grand escape. Although her initial speed before liberation was not top-tier, it wasn’t slow either.
If Mihono Bourbon wanted to keep up closely, she would have to maintain acceleration, which would inevitably increase her stamina consumption.
Fortunately, after so many runs together, her stamina had already been trained to a level where she could run long distances.
A mere 2000 meters, she truly didn’t feel it was difficult at all.