Chapter 70. Nassau Stakes Gate Position
The next day, Shuta An woke up unusually late, but upon opening his eyes, he noticed Tokai Teio still curled up in the covers, snoring.
After admiring the Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume's sleeping face for a while, the young man tiptoed out of bed to wash up.
Last night in the Dream World, Shuta An had once again set off for America to prepare for Hokuto Vega's Personal Ensign Stakes. The date of this race coincided with the Nassau Stakes in the real world, meaning the young man would spend the day at Goodwood Racecourse with Teio watching Dober's Nassau Stakes, and then rush back to the hotel in Ascot to go to bed early to challenge the Personal Ensign Stakes.
However, Shuta thought it over and felt that the Dream World race was more difficult.
After all, with Sky Beauty's presence, she was an American Triple Crown mare, and her strength was considerably greater than the opponents Mejiro Dober would face in the Nassau Stakes.
"Will the Nassau Stakes eventually be questioned for its quality again?"
Shuta An sighed to himself at this thought.
"But lower intensity is good; Dober's most important races are in the autumn this year. Summer is just for fun and a casual race."
Considering the time difference, it wasn't until last night that Japan received the news of Tokai Teio winning the Epsom Derby, and many who hadn't stayed up to watch the live broadcast caught up with the replay.
Shuta An then opened Twitter, ready to check the public opinion in Japan.
"With such a strong performance at Ascot Racecourse, it feels like winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe isn't impossible, right?"
Shuta An smiled lightly upon seeing this tweet, muttering to himself.
"El Condor Pasa, you've driven the Japanese people crazy."
"If Tokai Teio's performance doesn't drastically decline, after she retires from the Twinkle Series, she will definitely be qualified to debate with Oguri Cap about who is the strongest in Japan, right?"
"I feel like the debate can happen now, after all, Tokai Teio currently holds three top mile-and-a-medium G1 victories, and the quality is evident."
"So amazing. If my favorite could win a mile-and-a-medium G1, I'd be ecstatic, let alone a G1 of such high status as the Epsom Derby."
—
It took over an hour to drive from Ascot Racecourse to Goodwood Racecourse, which wasn't too far.
But to minimize Mejiro Dober's hassle, on Thursday morning, before Goodwood Racecourse officially announced the Nassau Stakes gate draw results, the young man took both of them by car to the vicinity of Goodwood Racecourse and booked a hotel. Mainly for Mejiro Dober to stay for these few days.
Shuta would first discuss race tactics with Dober after the gate results were out, then return to Ascot with Teio in the evening, and come back on Sunday to watch the race live.
"Dober will most likely be assigned to the outermost lane again this time."
Shuta said, boldly stating his guess from the sofa in the hotel room.
"I have a feeling Goodwood Racecourse would do something like that."
"It's not that absurd, is it?" Dober pouted. "Honestly, I'm tired of running in the outermost lane."
"Actually, the difference in starting from inner or outer gates on the Goodwood Racecourse's 2000-meter Nassau Stakes track is very small. Different tactics all have a good chance of winning. It can be said to be a very interesting track that also heavily relies on raw strength."
"Among the entries for this Nassau Stakes, isn't Dober-senpai the strongest in terms of raw strength?"
Teio interjected.
"Choosing this race instead of the Yorkshire Oaks, is it because of this?"
"If you say so, then yes, that's correct." Shuta didn't deny it. "Also, I was afraid Dober, who has already explored York for two years, would get bored, so I let her explore Sussex this time."
"It looks much more prosperous than York."
Dober had already enjoyed the scenery on the way.
"And I think living here will be more comfortable than a place like York."
"The most important thing is." she looked out the window at Goodwood Racecourse not far away, "the scenery around Goodwood Racecourse is much better than York Racecourse."
"After all, it's considered one of the most beautiful Racecourses in the world."
Shuta shrugged.
"And the track layout of this Racecourse is also very unique; Dober will immediately experience the difference when she steps onto the track tomorrow."
"I checked, and it looks very different from Japanese Racecourses." Mejiro Dober nodded sagely. "But for me, I can just think of the race as an L-shaped route, right?"
"You can think of it that way." Shuta gave a thumbs up. "In fact, thinking that way makes it even simpler!"
—
In the afternoon, Goodwood Racecourse officially released the gate draw results for the Nassau Stakes, and to Shuta's surprise, Dober was assigned to Gate 1 this time.
"Not the outermost lane, but the innermost lane." The young man shook his head. "Although both are extreme gate positions, I still guessed wrong."
"If it's Gate 1, I really have to use a Senko tactics."
Mejiro Dober said to herself.
"Considering that Gussy Marlowe in Gate 2 is an Uma Musume with significant gate issues, it shouldn't be difficult for me to secure a position upfront."
"Oumaldaaya in Gate 3 is a front-runner Uma Musume; she will definitely take the lead in this race, and the pace of the race should be around 60-plus seconds for the first 1000 meters."
This was the description of Oumaldaaya from the information Shuta had collected earlier.
"If the pace of the race is slow, I'll have to in the front even more."
Dober responded.
"In most race situations, a leading strategy is the most orthodox."
Tokai Teio offered her opinion.
"I don't know how the turf at Goodwood Racecourse compares to Ascot Racecourse, but a leading strategy is definitely safer."
"No need to worry too much about track conditions."
Shuta patted Dober's shoulder.
"Sussex has been mostly clear and sunny during this period. Although it's near the sea, the humidity hasn't been high recently, so there shouldn't be any sudden rain."
All this was information Shuta had gathered himself. Compared to local Trainers, Shuta needed to collect more meteorological information to give accurate instructions.
This could also be considered a disadvantage of an away expedition.
Although Dober's strength was enough to dominate the entire field, Shuta inwardly demanded himself to fulfill all his duties as much as possible.