However, despite the casual chatting, everyone hadn't forgotten the main focus for today.
The Kikuka-shō (菊花赏), the final leg of the Classic Triple Crown.
Its starting location was the Kyoto Racecourse, which is located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
After arriving at their destination and exiting the train station, the Horse Girl wasted no time and immediately hailed two taxis, heading towards the racecourse.
Due to the overcast sky, the weather still appeared somewhat gloomy.
Additionally, as November had already arrived, temperatures began to drop, and a damp, cold wind would occasionally blow through.
Yet, even so, the number of spectators gathered inside the racecourse did not diminish in the slightest.
Everyone was eagerly anticipating the birth of a new Triple Crown Horse Girls, hoping for the first undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girls to emerge on their home turf.
At this moment, the sounds of discussion in the stands were incessant:
"Kikuka-shō (菊花赏), a 3000-meter long-distance race. I wonder if Teio's stamina will be enough to endure it."
"She definitely can. If Teio can't do it, then the other Horse Girl in the same race won't be able to either."
"I wonder if Teio will participate in the Japan Cup this year. I really want to see her defeat the overseas Horse Girl."
"Probably not. The rest period is too short, and isn't there also CB-sensei? It should be the same with CB-sensei leading."
"Speaking of CB-sensei, don't you want to see her and Teio face off? Don't you want to see them team up to crush the overseas Horse Girl?"
"But no matter what, it might be a bit too much. The Horse Girl' physical health is the most important thing."
"That's true. I still want to see more of their races. I hope they all stay healthy."
After a pause, another voice joined in:
"By the way, isn't anyone mentioning Katsuragi Ace? I think her strength is also quite good."
"Katsuragi Ace... the 2400 meters of the Japan Cup might be a bit too much for her..."
"As a Horse Girl who excels at leading tactics, in a regular race, she might indeed be able to lead all the way to the finish line."
"But if it's the intensity of the Japan Cup, I don't think she can withstand the pursuit of other Horse Girl in the final straight."
"Hiss... What if she does it?"
"Does it? Then it's probably the blessing of the Three Goddesses, a miracle."
Regardless of the audience's discussions, the seven Horse Girl finally arrived at the racecourse.
As if they had reached some unspoken agreement, only Chitose Meiji and Polaris Glacier accompanied Rudolph Symboli to the jockey's lounge.
The rest followed Maruzensky and headed directly to the spectator stands.
"Oh, this is my first time seeing you, Rudolf, in your winning attire in person. You truly are an emperor going to war."
In the lounge, Chitose Meiji sat on a chair, looking at Rudolph Symboli as she walked out of the changing room, exclaiming with emotion.
The latter had already changed into a royal military-style short dress, predominantly dark green with gold accents, which was clearly her exclusive winning attire.
"Hmm, it really suits Rudolf's aura. She looks even more dashing and dignified."
Polaris Glacier, also sitting on another chair, nodded. She too was seeing it in person for the first time.
"Thank you, Chitose Meiji, and Polaris. I'm very happy to receive your compliments."
Rudolph Symboli replied with a smile, then suddenly became serious, looking at Chitose Meiji and saying:
"Chitose Meiji, as I said before, I will seize people's attention from your hands and usher in a new era that belongs to me."
Then, she turned her head to Polaris Glacier and added:
"Polaris, I will be waiting for you at the top. If you want to challenge me, you must first reach the same height."
Upon hearing this, Chitose Meiji and Polaris Glacier exchanged glances.
A smile appeared on the former's lips, revealing an expression of anticipation.
The latter blinked and let out a soft chuckle.
The two seemed to have reached some unspoken understanding, not speaking any words filled with fighting spirit, but simply cheering:
"Rudolf, go for it! Today, you are undoubtedly the protagonist. Crush all your opponents and claim victory!"
"Ah, ah, I will."
Rudolph Symboli was somewhat surprised but also reacted, nodding and saying:
"You just watch closely and bear witness to the birth of the first undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girls in Japanese history."
Soon, as the race time approached, the Horse Girl successively exited the lounge and proceeded along the jockey's passage towards the racecourse.
The commentary and live broadcast for this race were handled by a man and a woman, with the Announcer (Female) currently delivering the opening remarks:
"This day has finally arrived this year, the final battle of the Classic Triple Crown, the Kikuka-shō (菊花赏)."
The commentator also chimed in at the appropriate moment:
"Oh, how we've finally awaited this day."
"Indeed. Although the weather is a bit gloomy, the grand spectacle is still no less than in previous years."
"The most anticipated contestant is undoubtedly Rudolph Symboli. Whether she can achieve the great feat of the Classic Triple Crown will be revealed today."
After a slight pause, the Announcer (Female) continued:
"Alright, under the watchful eyes of numerous spectators, the Horse Girl competing today are officially entering the track."
On the turf, Rudolph Symboli, emerging from the jockey's passage, slowly walked to the front of the stands, looking up slightly.
The spectators also immediately gave her enthusiastic cheers and support:
"Teio! Go for it! Win this race and become an undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girls!"
Rudolph Symboli slightly nodded in response. Bearing everyone's expectations, she absolutely could not lose.
In the stands, Polaris Glacier and Chitose Meiji had also reunited with Maruzensky and the others.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. Now, their only task was to bear witness.
Before long, accompanied by the sounding of the opening horn, the participating Horse Girl successively entered the starting gates.
"All Horse Girl have entered the gates."
Kikuka-shō (菊花赏), a G1 race.
Kyoto Racecourse, turf, 3000 meters, clockwise, track condition slightly heavy.
However, though described as 'slightly heavy,' it was actually just shy of being a heavy track. The turf felt noticeably damp when stepped on.
Overcast weather, with a total of 18 Horse Girl participating.
Rudolph Symboli was in gate 5, with overwhelmingly the highest popularity among all.
As for the course, 3000 meters would require one full lap plus approximately half a lap.
In total, it involved two long straights plus one final straight, and three complete large turns integrating six corners.
The long straights also included long uphill slopes, making the overall requirement for the Horse Girl' stamina quite high.
If stamina was insufficient, a significant loss of speed would inevitably occur at the end.
The Announcer (Female)'s voice continued, "The Kikuka-shō (菊花赏), one of the Classic Triple Crown races..." All Horse Girl inside the starting gates assumed their pre-race stances.
"Now..."
"Clang!"
The gates suddenly opened, and the 18 Horse Girl, including Rudolph Symboli, immediately burst out, instantly vying for position.
"The race has begun! All Horse Girl had a beautiful start."
"First, the first lap. They are currently heading towards the third turn along the slope."
The Horse Girl' tactical choices varied. Theoretically, the initial clashes between them should have yielded results quickly.
But this race was different. The situation only gradually solidified and became clear after the first large turn was completed.
Leading at the very front was the Horse Girl from gate 2, with the Horse Girl from gate 16 closely following beside her, and the Horse Girl from gate 10 slightly behind.
Behind them, in the leading group, there were five Horse Girl following closely, with very little distance between them, appearing exceptionally compact overall.
And Rudolph Symboli?
Rudolph Symboli had entered the innermost lane early on, positioned in the middle.
It was unclear whether it was for the purpose of marking, or simply due to the large number of participants in this race making positions difficult to secure.
On her outside, several Horse Girl formed a tight encirclement, leaving no possibility for a significant opening.
Her current situation, to put it nicely, was that she had secured the inner lane, which could save some stamina.
To put it badly, she was surrounded and simply couldn't break out.
"Rudolf's position... this isn't good..."
In the stands, Maruzensky suddenly whispered, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
"It's alright, it's only just begun."
Chitose Meiji looked on and continued:
"Rudolf's expression is also very calm. She will definitely judge the right time to break through."
"With so many Horse Girl competing, and the poor track conditions today, no one knows what might happen."
Katsuragi Ace also offered her opinion, turning to look at the race screen, her brows slightly furrowed.
Polaris Glacier and Mejiro Takamine were both the type who focused intensely during races and didn't like to talk much.
The youngest, Tokai Teio, was watching the race screen with a mix of nervousness and worry, her hands unconsciously gripping the stand railing.
As the race progressed, the Horse Girl passed in front of the stands, and the spectators unanimously cheered in support.
Rudolph Symboli's position had moved slightly forward, but she remained surrounded.
"Wait a little longer, it's not time yet."
She thought to herself, her expression unhurried and very calm.
The turf beneath her feet splashed with water and mud, and her moving legs unconsciously exerted more force.
After passing the first and second turns, the Horse Girl ascended the long uphill slope unique to the Kyoto Racecourse.
Here, for safety, everyone would follow a default rule: ascend slowly, descend slowly.
If one were to accelerate rashly, there would be a high chance of an accident.
"They've reached the long uphill slope on the opposite side of the final straight. The Horse Girl' formation is still very tight. Rudolph Symboli is surrounded in the middle group, seemingly unable to move?"
The Announcer (Female)'s voice couldn't help but make the spectators hold their breath.
After clearing the slope and passing the corner of the third turn, the Horse Girl quickly passed the 600-meter mark.
Feeling that the time was approaching, everyone gradually began to accelerate.
And the differing acceleration efficiencies also caused the overall distances between the teams to stretch out slightly.
Rudolph Symboli's eyes widened slightly. Realizing that the moment to break free from the encirclement was approaching, she had already focused her mind.
Soon, they passed the fourth turn.
Due to the effect of centrifugal force, the Horse Girl were forced to drift outwards, and the overall gaps in the formation gradually widened to their maximum extent, just like that, entering the final straight.
"Now!"
Rudolph Symboli, who had long been prepared, had a flash of light in her eyes. Her steps quickened, and she burst out in one go.
"Final straight! Rudolph Symboli broke free from the pack at an extremely fast speed, overtaking several Horse Girl in one fell swoop!"
After overtaking several Horse Girl, the next moment this occurred, Rudolph Symboli felt as if her legs had been freed from some kind of shackles, becoming much lighter, and her speed increased even more.
"You all, behold the divine might of the Emperor!"
Maruzensky and the others, who witnessed this scene, all breathed a sigh of relief, and then a smile slowly appeared on their lips.
The figure in the dark green royal military-style winning attire galloped past the front of the stands, bathed in the explosive cheers of the spectators, heading towards the finish line.
Tokai Teio in the stands unconsciously stood on her tiptoes, the light in her eyes lingering for a long time.
Passing the final 200-meter mark, Rudolph Symboli's speed grew faster and faster, and a golden aura gradually appeared around her.
"The final 200 meters! Rudolph Symboli has completely broken away! The other Horse Girl simply cannot catch her!"
The cheers of the spectators were incessant, and the Announcer (Female) also made the announcement immediately:
"The undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girls is born at this moment! Rudolph Symboli! Crossing the finish line!!"
"Eight consecutive undefeated victories! An undefeated Triple Crown! The greatest record in Japanese Horse Girl history is achieved here!!!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh!!!"
To celebrate, ribbons floated down into the arena, and the team originally responsible for the opening horn began to play a concerto titled 'The Emperor'.
Rudolph Symboli, after catching her breath, turned to face the stands, proudly raising her right hand and holding up three fingers.
