After a full day of training came to an end, the afterglow of sunset dyed Tracen Academy's training grounds a warm orange.
Since the school year had not yet started, most of the campus restaurants were not open, so Yasui Makoto suggested that they all go eat at Gray Impression, the restaurant run by Oguri Cap. Naturally, Kitasan Black and Almond Eye happily agreed.
The three of them arrived at the restaurant, and the moment they pushed open the door, they were greeted by familiar warm yellow light and the aroma of food drifting through the air.
It was just about mealtime, so there were not many customers in the restaurant yet. Just as they were about to find a place to sit, Yasui Makoto's gaze was drawn to a table in the corner.
Satono Crown and Satono Diamond were sitting there, delicate dishes arranged across the table as the two of them ate and chatted quietly.
Beside them sat another Umamusume with an elegant bearing.
After a few brief looks, Yasui Makoto quickly recognized her as Satono Walkure, whose name he had seen earlier on the mock race list.
Perhaps noticing Yasui Makoto's gaze, Satono Walkure looked over curiously, and Satono Crown and Satono Diamond soon noticed them as well.
"Kita-chan? Trainer Yasui?"
Satono Crown was the first to stand, greeting them warmly. "What a coincidence. Are you here to eat too?"
Satono Diamond and Satono Walkure also turned over, smiling as they rose and gave polite greetings.
Yasui Makoto hurriedly responded, a courteous smile on his face. "Yes, training ended a little late today, so we thought we'd come here for something to eat. I didn't expect to run into all of you."
Having unexpectedly run into her friends, Kitasan Black was already excitedly tugging Almond Eye over to them.
"What a coincidence! Crown-chan, Dia-chan, you're eating here too... Did you come from the academy? How come we didn't run into you over there?"
Following behind Kitasan Black, Almond Eye greeted the three Umamusume from the Satono family a little stiffly.
"We're heading there later. We just went out together today, so we're taking a younger girl from the family to have a look around the academy afterward."
After answering, Satono Crown looked at the slightly inexperienced Almond Eye, a hint of curiosity flashing through her eyes as she asked softly,
"And this is...? A newly joined Umamusume? She looks full of energy."
Kitasan Black quickly introduced her.
"This is Almond-chan. Crown-chan, did you forget? You should've seen her before at the Mini Satsuki Sho."
"She's preparing to enroll at Tracen Academy, and today was her first day of targeted training."
After the brief greetings, everyone took their seats. The food was soon brought out, dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor set before them, and they chatted happily while enjoying the meal.
"Come to think of it, I haven't raced since last year's Tenno Sho (Autumn)."
Picking up a bite of salad, Satono Crown said with full confidence,
"But I've adjusted my condition quite well during this period. I'm planning to enter the Kyoto Kinen in February, so I hope I can put on a good performance on the racecourse."
She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes filled with confident light.
Satono Diamond took a sip of juice and continued,
"I'm about the same as my sister. My race is in February too."
"For Dia-chan... Oh, right!"
Hearing them talk about races, Kitasan Black set down her chopsticks, thought for a moment, then nodded.
"It's the Kisaragi Sho, right? You're already starting graded races this soon. As expected of Dia-chan!"
"Kita-chan, didn't you also enter graded races soon after your debut?"
Satono Diamond smiled as she answered, then her expression gradually turned serious.
"But in graded races, all the opponents will be very strong. I've increased my training intensity quite a bit recently too, so I need to prepare properly."
"I have to put on a good showing. I can't lose to my sister or to Kita-chan."
As she spoke earnestly, her tone carried a hint of nervousness and anticipation, and her slender fingers unconsciously tapped lightly against the table.
"That's so nice. I hope both of you get good results," Kitasan Black said sincerely.
"Speaking of future race plans..."
After thinking for a moment, Satono Diamond looked curiously at Kitasan Black. "Kita-chan, have you really decided to go straight for the Tenno Sho (Spring)?"
Kitasan Black nodded without hesitation, her tone firm. "Yeah. Trainer and I discussed it carefully."
"I just finished the Arima Kinen, so my body and condition both need enough time to recover."
"And the Tenno Sho (Spring) is an important G1 race, so I need to prepare properly for it."
"On top of that, I'll be going abroad for special training afterward, so aiming straight for the Tenno Sho (Spring) is the best choice. That way, I can be in my best condition when the race comes."
Satono Crown nodded thoughtfully and said with a sigh, "I see. Then I guess we won't be seeing you in any other races before the Tenno Sho (Spring)."
"But now that you mention it, it feels like everyone has plans to race or train abroad."
"Everyone?"
Kitasan Black looked puzzled and immediately asked, "Crown-chan, who do you mean by everyone?"
Satono Crown raised a hand and counted on her fingers as she spoke. "Well, me, for example. After the Kyoto Kinen, I plan to go to Hong Kong to race."
"I've always really wanted to go there and have a look, so this is the perfect chance to use the race as an opportunity and take a proper look around."
"And Dura-chan and Real Steel have plans to go abroad too, though they're going to Dubai."
"When I count it out carefully, quite a few from our Classic year who took part in the Classics seem to have plans to go overseas."
Hearing that, Kitasan Black first looked surprised, then instantly became excited, her eyes sparkling.
"Wow, then maybe I'll be able to see Dura-chan and Real Steel-chan in Dubai later. That'd be amazing!"
While the Umamusume chattered away, Yasui Makoto had been listening from the side. When he heard that, something stirred in his mind, and he sank into thought.
It was no coincidence that Umamusume from the same Classic year were all going abroad at around the same time.
This was probably what Tokai Teio and the others had mentioned before. They had spoken one by one with the outstanding Umamusume of Kitasan Black's year, hoping that they and their trainers would consider an overseas campaign.
From the current look of things, Satono Crown, Real Steel, and Duramente already had concrete plans. They had even entered races.
But compared to the wishes of the student council—or rather, the association and the board of directors—whether it was Hong Kong or Dubai, they definitely were not the final destination of the overseas campaign.
And that so-called final destination was, without question, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
If the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe were truly the target, then from a trainer's perspective, choosing European races would undoubtedly be the best option.
For example, the Prix Ganay, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, or the Prix Foy.
The Prix Ganay and Prix Foy were both held at ParisLongchamp Racecourse in Paris, France.
Although the former was 2,100 meters rather than the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe's 2,400 meters, it was France's first G1 of the year. Most of the opponents one could meet in that race had the potential to take part in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe later, making it highly useful as a reference.
The latter had the same 2,400-meter distance as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which was why it was also called an Arc trial. Its value as a reference went without saying.
As for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, while it was not held at ParisLongchamp Racecourse, it was also 2,400 meters and likewise held decent significance as a race to enter.
However, if one truly wanted to run those races, arranging the schedule was not an easy matter.
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