Chapter 83. The 2040-meter Escape Drama [Part 1]
The Cox Plate, founded over eighty years ago, was named in memory of William Samuel Cox, the first president of the Moonee Valley URA Association and the builder of Moonee Valley Racecourse. It stood as one of the three cornerstone events of the Victoria Spring Twinkle Series Carnival, alongside the Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield Cup.
The Uma Musume who claimed victory in this race was often regarded as the finest middle-distance runner in Oceania for that year.
However, the elevated prestige of the Cox Plate was inseparable from its formidable prize pool. A total purse of five million Australian dollars drew a convergence of elite middle-distance Uma Musume. It could be said without exaggeration that if Silence Suzuka were to conquer the Cox Plate, it would signify her road of conquest in Oceania itself.
Although Australia hosted other middle-distance G1 races, none rivaled the stature of the Cox Plate.
One need only look at its list of past champions—the "Red Terror" Phar Lap, whose name echoed across Oceania before meeting a tragic end abroad; the legendary Kingston Town, who claimed the Cox Plate three times; Strawberry Road, who once finished second in Symboli Rudolf's first overseas race; and many others of similar renown.
"As long as I can win the Cox Plate, although it's impossible to stand alongside historical monsters like Phar Lap or the three-time champion Kingston Town, catching up to famed Uma Musume such as Ajax and Strawberry Road—each with a single Cox Plate victory—would no longer be beyond reach."
Although Silence Suzuka did not yet possess the sheer number of G1 victories held by those predecessors, her ability to compete across four continents clearly demonstrated exceptional adaptability. When the time came for Twinkle Series Hall of Fame voting, Japanese experts would undoubtedly take this factor into serious consideration.
With that thought, a faint smile formed at the corner of Shuta An's lips. "Perhaps, in time, everyone in Team Sadalsuud could enter the Twinkle Series Hall of Fame?"
Such an idea would have once seemed overly ambitious, yet as Tokai Teio's potential steadily blossomed and Silence Suzuka's achievements continued to accumulate, the young man could sense that the possibility was no longer distant.
—
October 24th—the day of the Cox Plate.
The weather in Moonee Valley City was clear and bright. Not a single drop of rain had fallen in recent days, and the staff at Moonee Valley Racecourse had refrained from watering the turf, resulting in a "good" track rating. For Silence Suzuka, this was ideal.
The previous night, Silence Suzuka had already entered the waiting area at Moonee Valley Racecourse, so that morning Shuta An arrived alone. To be honest, the interior of Moonee Valley Racecourse did not compare favorably to Tokyo Racecourse. After stepping inside, the young man felt that it bore a closer resemblance to Ōi Racecourse.
"I've heard there are plans for future renovations, but I wonder what it will become." Shuta An did not really care in Australia's infrastructure capabilities.
Entering the VIP Box alone, he took out a can of Bundaberg sparkling water, settled onto the sofa, and opened it with ease.
"The Cox Plate is the sixth of today's eight races. However, the earlier races are by no means low-level, so it won't be dull to watch."
Cox Plate race day closely resembled a major Twinkle Series event day in America. Moonee Valley Racecourse would host eight races in total—
The first race, sponsored by Sharp, was the G3 1200m turf Red Anchor Stakes.
The second, sponsored by the local dealer 3Point Motors, was the G2 1600m turf Moonee Valley Uma Musume Classic Race.
The third, sponsored by Schweppes Soda, was the G2 1600m turf Crystal Mile.
The fourth, sponsored by a local golf club, was the G2 2000m turf Golf Silver Vase.
The fifth was the G2 2500m turf Moonee Valley Gold Cup, sponsored by McDonald's.
The sixth, the Cox Plate, was sponsored by BMW.
The seventh, sponsored by Powerflo Solutions, was the G3 1600m turf Tesio Stakes; and the final race, without a sponsor, was named after the famed Uma Musume Manikato—who had achieved twenty G1 victories by modern standards in Australian history—run over 1200m turf.
"However, even if the final Manikato Stakes appears special, today ultimately belongs to the Cox Plate, and most spectators have come specifically for it."
Shuta opened the race program and entry lists placed on the table before him. After a brief scan, his gaze settled, almost inevitably, on Silence Suzuka's name.
"There are still more than three hours until the race. Everything should conclude around 5 PM, and after that, the remaining time will belong to Suzuka and me alone."
As the thought formed, a quiet anticipation stirred within him. "I just hope nothing unexpected occurs today, and that the race unfolds exactly as we planned."
Silence Suzuka, meanwhile, showed no visible excitement upon the display stage. She maintained her usual composed expression as she stepped down, then paused briefly before allowing a restrained smile—one she had deliberately withheld while under public view—to surface.
"So that's why I couldn't find Ann on the display stage—he's watching from the side closer to the inner rail today," the Uma Musume murmured softly to herself. "He didn't tell me beforehand—I was a little disappointed just now."
Now that she had located him, her steps became noticeably lighter.
"Hehe~ fortunately, I'll still be using the runaway tactic today, and I'll stay close to the rail in the final stretch. That way, when I cross the finish line, I'll be closer to Ann than ever in a race."
With that thought, her mood brightened considerably, and the smile on her face could no longer be concealed.
—
After the first five races concluded, Shuta An rose from his seat and left the Box, crossing the track toward the center of the field. This area was restricted—only race officials and the families of BMW employees in Australia were permitted access, a privilege tied to the sponsorship of the Cox Plate.
"Speaking of sponsoring the Cox Plate—does the winning Uma Musume receive a BMW?" Shuta An stood just behind the finish line, murmuring to himself.
"Unfortunately, no." A Moonee Valley Racecourse staff member, having overheard him, gave a small shrug. "After all, even a BMW 3 Series isn't exactly inexpensive these days."
"So the naming sponsorship only contributes to the prize pool." Shuta An clicked his tongue lightly. "That's a little disappointing."
"Mr. Shuta likely isn't short on cars, is he? There's no need to dwell on BMW," the staff member added with a careful smile after recognizing him.
"I'm not fixated," Shuta An waved a hand casually, signaling him to relax. "I just think it would be far more interesting if the naming sponsor also provided a car to the winner."
He paused briefly, his gaze sharpening with a trace of calculation.
"You can pass that suggestion along to the Moonee Valley URA Association. I imagine they'd find it quite useful when negotiating with sponsors in the future."
The staff member nodded without replying, though the thought had already taken root—extracting a little more from sponsors was always worth attempting.
Before departing, the staff member handed him a bottle of water. Shuta An accepted it, then turned, his eyes settling on the massive screen displaying the pre-race parade of the Cox Plate contenders.
"In ten minutes, it begins." For once, there was no tension in his chest—only a rising, electric anticipation. "No matter the outcome, this is the pinnacle of Australia's middle-distance Twinkle Series. Winning here will firmly establish Suzuka's standing."
—
Only when she reached the starting gates did that smile finally fade, replaced by absolute focus. Drawing gate six meant her entry was slightly delayed, leaving her standing just outside as the others filed in one by one.
That delay granted her a fleeting moment. She turned her gaze once more toward where Shuta An stood. Though he was little more than a distant silhouette in her eyes, she lingered on that point, unwilling to look away.
"Just a few more minutes."
The call from the staff reached her, urging her forward. With a quiet breath, Silence Suzuka withdrew her gaze, clenched her fists, and stepped into the gate.
Inside, she immediately noticed the difference—the space was wider than in Japan, enough to allow limited movement. A subtle advantage.
She rolled her ankles, loosened her shoulders, and then lowered herself into position.
Northern Drake, in the outermost lane, had already entered.
"Click."
The sharp release of the gates rang out—crisp, decisive. Though the mechanism took slightly longer to fully open compared to Japan's, the distinction meant nothing to her.
If anything, it favored her.
Before the gates had even fully spread, Silence Suzuka had already surged forward.
For a split second, even Shuta An's heart tightened.
"Was that too fast?"
But the starter turned away without hesitation. No recall was issued. Relief followed instantly.
"Not a false start—she's simply faster."
Out of the gate, Silence Suzuka did not follow her usual pattern. There was no extended acceleration phase to establish a gap before cutting inward. Instead, she moved immediately—decisively—toward the rail.
She understood the structure of this course.
The Cox Plate's 2040 meters began near the final bend, meaning the field would pass the short straight and plunge directly into the first corner. There was no luxury of space.
The window to secure the lead was razor-thin.
"I can't afford to hesitate."
Her movement was clean, precise—no wasted motion. She claimed the inner line with unwavering intent, asserting her presence before the other ten Uma Musume could even react.
Shuta An's earlier words echoed within her mind—
"The pace battles in Europe and America are fiercer than in Japan. But when it comes to leading—Suzuka, you're second to none. Don't fear anyone trying to press you. With your legs, you can break them."
"That's right—I'll trust myself."
Her stride lengthened, her rhythm sharpened.
"If you want to challenge the pace I'm proud of—then come."
She did not look back. She didn't need to.
Behind her, Doriemus reacted immediately.
"As expected."
Recalling her Trainer's warning, she advanced without hesitation, closing in on Silence Suzuka's position.
Pressure had begun.