3:07 p.m. I've seen a video clip of the Scotland referendum being rigged. Scotland Independence Vote Rigging

Don't know if this video clip is credible or not, but am sure my Scottish friend must be infuriated. The countless claims on rigging only show how much the referendum gathered attention. I juset hope that it wouldn't trigger violence.

The End

Caterpillar

2:18 p.m. Am fighting sleepiness again. I am fighting hard because I have a suggestion to make concerning elections, referendums, all votings around the world.

I suggest that all ballots be bubble sheets and tallied by machines, not people, in order to hold fair votings. We've blotted out enough of those bubble sheets while we were students, for the sake of fairness and to save the trouble of the graders. Why not use them for votings?

And I suggest the U.N. to form a special division to provide managing staff for every voting all around the world. These specially trained people should be sent in to every voting to conduct the voting. They should be kept in isolation in secured facilities so as not to have conatct with anyone from outside, just as jockeys before their races. What if these managing staffs get bribed? No worries as they will have to pass the tests to clear strict regulations of requirements every year. How's that?

The End

Caterpillar

4:29 p.m. The barrier draw of de l'Arc de Triomphe is said to be annnounced later today to tomorrow morning, Japan time.

The entries have been made and 20 horses have entered the race so far. The Yorkshire Oaks winner, Tapestry has entered paying additional fee of 120,000 Euros, with Moore in the saddle. That means they've got confidence.

If there are no scratch-offs, the race will be run with 20 horses. That is good news for Gold Ship. The tougher the race, the better. Wish he draws an inner post, though. Getting excited.

The End

Caterpillar

3:13 p.m. Yess! Yeessss!! Gold Ship drew post number 2! Couldn't have asked for more.

Everything seems to be in his favor so far. And the last piece of the puzzle to make a Grand Prix horse out of Gold Ship is to ride him along the rail. I repeat. Ride him along the rail (to avoid the second tragedy after Orfevre).

If Mr. Nori Yokoyama can only guide the horse along the rail among a bunch of horses, there's no way Gold Ship could lose except for some unexpected accidents. It would take some courage to face and fight the fear of losing space when the horse and jockey wants to pull away in the last stretch. But be brave, Mr. Yokoyama. The horse has a tough heart and the power to break through those walls of European alliance.

The End

Caterpillar

4:00 p.m. We had Sprinters' Stakes today, the first of the G1 series this autumn. I wasn't prepared as I'd spent so much time gathering information about the Arc, so I just dropped in some coins to feel out my luck. Snow Dragon has won the race! I didn't buy his win ticket, but he is a son of one of my favorite horses, Admire Cozzene along with Majin Prosper who also ran the race, so I am happy to see him win a grade one! And it makes me feel that this is only a start. Resembling his father, Snow Dragon is a gray horse just like Gold Ship. Doesn't it seem like the "the gray legend" is about to begin again?

11:35 p.m. Disappointing. Very disappointing. Why can't anybody ride Gold Ship the way I tell them to? Why? There will never be a chance like this again. And Yokayam swings him around the outside? Unbelievable! Of all the ways to ride that horse. We'll never win the Arc if we keep riding horses like that. Never.

The End

Caterpillar

3:02 p.m. Last night, sleep came in short fits. I was too overwhelmingly furious and ashamed. Ashamed, not of the horses, but of the jockies and trainers.

How many times do I have to say that Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe cannot be won by swinging around the outside? Especially when the horse is carrying 59.5 kilograms, how could one win by swinging around from the rear, when there are fillies carrying only 53 kilograms way up in the front? How, how? You tell me.

Gold Ship had to be in Treve's position to perform his best. Even I could see that. And if the jockey and/or trainer couldn't, they should quit. If a jockey is releasing a comment that he'd brought out the best of his horse, he's a fool.

If the jockies and trainers don't intend improve, I wish they'd never enter in such an honorable race any more, ever. I don't think I could keep watching such disgracefu races any more.

The End

Caterpillar

12:55 p.m. Sleep deprived as am still fuming, but trying to put it aside for the moment. Have come to think that the only way to transform this negative energy into something positive is to win the autumn grade one races, and prove what I'm saying is true so that jockies and trainers would at least try to listen to some of my advices.

As a matter of fact, I'm already earning credibility as the French press and some of the the French horse racing people seem to have the same opinion. Humph.

The End

Caterpillar

2:40 p.m. Another typhoon coming up from the south.

It is typhoon season, and after experiencing it for decades I understand there's nothing we can so about typhoons coming one after another, while the sea temperature is still high.

I just wish that they won't come around every weekend, as I cannot do any washing and will have to do it on weekday mornings, just like today. Well, they've succeeded in launching the new Himawari 8 weather satellite yesterday, that can take, save and send color image data, so perhaps that might help. Hopefully.

The End

Caterpillar

4:12 p.m. Things might be taking a rapid turn.

JoOusama has told me last night that she sometimes loses track of where she is at the time. Oh, no. No, no, no. I was relieved from Obaba only a couple of years ago.

But come to think of it, it's not the first time I've heard her say that. So it might not be seious. On the other hand, she might already be on the track for dementia and the count down has already started. Noooo. The first time I've heard such things from her could have been 10 years or so back. Alzheimers' are said to start showing early signs as eraly as 25 years before it gets serious. Does that mean I've got 10 or 15 years' time left until I am forced into taking care of JoOusama?

Horror stricken, I've seached for experiences and opinion of people taking care of their demented parents, but that only made me more terrified.

The End

Caterpillar

3:16 p.m. Wait, wait. Nothing has been confirmed yet. I'm not sure if JoOusama is showing early signs of dementia or not. I'm just being terrified because her mom had Altzheimers' disease in her last several years.

Stay calm and poised. And do what I can. That's the problem with me, I know. I always panic and try to do more than I can. Take things one at a time. Well, since I've had this chance, it might be a good time to start thinking about what I can do for my parents when they become unable to live on their own.

True, they were terrible parents to me, at least not good ones. Still, they are the only two people in the world who has fed me until I became able to feed myself. Oh, how mentally mature have I become?

The End

Caterpillar

3:03 p.m. There's been the priliminary stage for the jocky's license examintaion on October 1st. Mirco Demuro seems to have taken te exam for his second time in a row following last year's, along with Christophe Lemaire who faced his first challenge. The results would be announced on October 16th, that is next Thursday. The most difficult part for them including an oral exam in Japanese lays ahead of them, is said to be held on January 26th next year, and whether they will get the license or not will be announced eventually, on February 5th, 2015.

They are both great jockies and I wish for both of their success in the exam. If they pass, they'll be able to ride in JRA races througuout the year. As a matter of fact, I wish they could have obtained the license earlier. If either of them had become able to ride earlier, perhaps Gold Ship might have won the Arc. Good luck to both of you, Mirco and Christophe!

The End

Caterpillar

10:32 p.m. Typhoon warnings all day on TV.

It seems the typhoon is going to get closest to Tokyo from around tomorrow night to Tuesday morning. But it brings the rain earlier, well at least, the weather report says so. So I've been out to the supermarket to buy 3 packs of Roman meal bread which I regularly eat in toast every morning. And I've finished my washing, too.

I wouldn't have to go out tomorrow. Come what may. I'll spend the whole day happily fiddling with my TV and computer.

The End

Caterpillar

5:05 p.m. I've just seen a news program airing "What you can still do to prepare for the typhoon." Excuse me, but the rain has got heavier a couple of hours ago. At this point? Isn't that information too late? What are they going to do if elderlies went out to buy food to stock, slipped and fell in the rain carrying heavy shopping bags and fractured their thighbone?

Every time a typhoon comes, the TV stations go for the same tone and report about how terrible, powerful and threatening the typhoon is, as if to prompt fear and anxiety of old people. I have a feeling that it's not only me being fed up with such broadcasting. Why don't they tell us what we can do indoors until the typhoon passes, or provide reassuring information, or at least, provide us some entertainment so we don't get bored?

The End

Caterpillar

2:02 p.m. The typhoon has passed above Tokyo without doing much damage. As far as I know, haven't heard of any serious damage as ruined houses or blown off roofs, etc. Trains have also been operating without incident.

However, Kyoto Dai-shohten, a prep race for the coming Tnnohsho that was supposed to run yesterday, has been put off due to the approaching typhoon and rescheduled to run this afternoon. I was counting on Meisho Mambo if it were to be held in soft track condition, but don't think I can hope for that today. Let's see if Tosen Ra wins to prove the most favored in this race.

The End

Caterpillar

3:22 p.m. Drizzling. Well, bear it for a bit longer and we're bound for sunny weather through the rest of the week.

I've checked out Kyoto Dai-shouhten yesterday. It seems the track is pretty fast. Considering the fine weather lasting till weekend, Shuka-sho would also be run on a fast track. Which means horses with instantaneous speed in inner posts will have an advantage if the pace drops to a slow. If the front runner leads the race at a good clip, then the power type horses would take the advantage.

Either way, things seem bright for Nuovo Record.

The End

Caterpillar

1:53 p.m. News has arrived that Mirco Demuro and Christophe Lemaire have both passed the priliminary test for JRA's year-round jocky's license.

According to the news reported on netkeiba.com, the names of the passer have been announced today, including 24 who passed the trainers' priliminary test and 2 who passed the jockies' test. Names of the two who passed the jockies' priliminary test, were later discovered to be Mirco Demuro and Christophe Lemaire. Mirco has been unable to pass the test last year.

Although they still have their second and final test to clear in next February, I'm glad they made it through the first one. I'll send my congrats. Hang in there, you two! I'm crossing fingers so that you'll pass the test. I'd sure like to see Gold Ship revive with Chrisophe in the saddle, along with a come back of Logo Type with Mirco on his back.

The End

Caterpillar

3:13 p.m. Have been engaging Cow in horse race talk about Shuka-sho to help him blow off some steam. He's been quite pissed about his situation lately, looking after his demented mom and all.

I know how bad it must feel as I've been there before myself while looking after Obaba. Well, I couldn't keep up with it and eventually, gave it all up in exchange for guilt that still comes back to haunt me sometimes. But I figured it was more important to keep control of my state, before thinking or caring about others. A stressed and unstable mentality does no good when it comes to dealing with people. I've learned that from Obaba.

The End

Caterpillar

3:13 p.m. Have been engaging Cow in horse race talk about Shuka-sho to help him blow off some steam. He's been quite pissed about his situation lately, looking after his demented mom and all.

I know how bad it must feel as I've been there before myself while looking after Obaba. Well, I couldn't keep up with it and eventually, gave it all up in exchange for guilt that still comes back to haunt me sometimes. But I figured it was more important to keep control of my state, before thinking or caring about others. A stressed and unstable mentality does no good when it comes to dealing with people. I've learned that from Obaba.

The End

Caterpillar

11:53 a.m. I'm going to prove the credibility of my opinion about getting particular horses to race among the field. Haven't had time or energy to fully call the race, but am coming down to a conclusion.

2:50 p.m. Oh, no. Am running out of time. Still nine horses remaining. Must narrow them down to four or five.

Shonan Pandra has beat the most favored Nuovo Record by a neck, in this year's Shuka-sho. I had Nuovo Record, Blanc Neige, Sang Real and Red Reveur which came in 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th place respectively. I'll never gain credibility.

The End

Caterpillar

4:04 p.m. I don't mean to justify myself, but I believe there's a reason for everything. Sometimes, we don't see or understand them, but they're there.

And one of the main reasons Nuovo Record had been beeten is because her jockey, Iwata, chose the course to cut through the middle. That was what gave Shonan Pandra the advantage to scrape through along the rail, and as a result, let her win by a neck. If Iwata had stuck to the rail as he'd done until the last corner, things would have been different.

I felt a ray of hope when Fukunaga, the jockey of Red Reveur had mentioned about plunging her into the field to keep her focused on the race, however, he blew it at the start, lagging behind. Additionally, he lead her to the horse to the outside around the fourth corner. As I've said before, no horse can catch the winning horse seven lengths ahead from that position, unless the pace had been tough.

The End

Caterpillar

2:44 p.m. The Orionid meteor shower is expected to have its peak around 1 A.M. tomorrow morning.

But it's cloudy in Tokyo! And I've got too much things pending! But first of all, I want to find out more about this daring little rascal called Eishin Hikari.

The End

Caterpillar

2:59 p.m. I have got tons of things to do, so was only able to take a peek at Eishin Hikari's profile.

Many horse race fans might already know him as he seems to be the most searched horse according to netkeiba.com, but Eishin Hikari is a 3-year-old colt who has run in Ireland Trophy, a 2,000 meter turf race in Tokyo race tracks last Sunday. What was impressive about this horse was that not only did he win the race taking the lead from start to wire, but he also bolted off the course to the outside in the last stretch and still won by 3 lengths. Tokyo race tracks are said to be difficult to win especially, for front runners.

Another thing is that Eishin Hikari has been winning five races in a row since his debut, which means he has never lost. His race record makes me think he can do quite well in the top category. Combined with his unoque character, Eishin Hikari seems to have joined my favorite horse list in a while.

The End

Caterpillar

2:14 p.m. Temperature has suddenly dropped down and everybody is wearing jackets so I wore one over my long sleeve T-shirt too, and I'm the only one sweating in train cars, why?

But the good news is that the rain has stopped, yeah! Meaning that I can do my walking for the day. I've walked a total of 314,526 steps in the past 22 days, that is an average of 14,296 steps a day.

Hmm... 704 steps less than my goal, but well, that isn't so bad. Besides, I still have a couple more days to go before I finish my 30-day challenge of walking at least 15,000 steps a day.

The End

Caterpillar

2:39 p.m. The barrier draw for Kikka-sho has been announced. One And Only is in post number 15, Toho Jackal in 2, Sounds Of Earth in 4, Tosen Stardum is in 7, World Impact in 8, To The World in 14.

So One And Only has drawn an outer post. Interesting. He's the most favored at this point, but the prep race was a close win. Who knows what might happen next? I've checked the weights after training and so far One And Only has only gained 8kg. Think that won't be a problem for now, but if he grows heavier by Sunday, we might see something dramatic happen.

The End

Caterpillar

2:20 p.m. Man, I'm sleepy as can be since I've only had 4 hours of sleep. I had to drag myself from sleep earlier than usual for the morning meeting, but then it's rescheduled to late afternoon, how's that? I was hoping I could get home a bit early (since I was going to have an early start) so I could spend some time calling Kikka-sho, but they never want to give me enough time, do they?

The win odds for One And Only has slightly raised from yesterday, possibly reflecting the worries that he might be beaten by some other horse in the last stretch and drop to second place, especially after we've seen something similar happen before our eyes only a week ago.

So the question is, whether I should buy One And Only or not? Hmmm. One thing I can say is that he's risky. His weight loss before the prep race seems to be a statement of fatigue to me, just like it was in Nuovo Record's case. I'm thinking, chances are that some other horse can snatch the win.

The End

Caterpillar

10:27 p.m. Have been to the off-track betting for the first time this season, only to key One And Only on my betting ticket and screw everything up, although it was only yesterday that I'd said the horse was risky.

Have realized I was the one who was fatigued, not the horses.

The End

Caterpillar

2:37p.m. All right. This week, I'm gonna get it right. My mind is already set on Tennosho.

Autumn Tennosho is going to be run this weekend, and the center of attention, of course, must be Isla Bonita, the 3-year-old Satsukisho winner. I've just reviewed the video of Isla Bonita's last three races, but he is definitely a tough horse, I can tell you that. Taking into account that he can carry the weight 2 kg lighter than older horses, it's hard to imagine this horse losing behind 4th place.

It seems we might have a 3-year-old Tennosho winner in a while since Symboli Kris S. Details coming up this weekend.

The End

Caterpillar

3:36 p.m. Oh, god. Am fighting sleepiness again.

Have talked with Cow about the possibility of Isla Bonita winning. Suspicious Cow refuses to trust the horse. Well, that's his choice. I don't mind a bit if he does or doesn't trust Isla Bonita. He'd win if certain conditions fall into place, otherwise he won't. Simple as that.

The End

Caterpillar

2:37 p.m. I'm not sleepy today, thanks. At least not for the moment, but my head is filled with the thought of Tenno-sho while there are other things pending that must be done a.s.a.p.

Added to this, my mind seem to wonder off to small things, "wow, Mah-kun is coming to the tracks for Japan Cup," or "Cow's in a little better state today, seems to have restored faith a bit," and I'm having a hard time concentrating. Yes, too many tasks often drive me crazy. Guess it won't be long till I start mumbling to myself. And after that, who knows what's gonna happen? Brrrr...

The End

Caterpillar

2:47 p.m. They must have heard me murmuring. JRA has announced the barrier draw in advance. Well, Tenno-sho is a special race and the betting tickets start selling from Friday night.

So here we go. Gentil Donna in post number 1, Denim And Ruby in 3, Spielberg in 4, Epiphaneia in 5, Fenomeno in 9, Isla Bonita in 15. It's getting tricky for Isla Bonita. But it's assuring to have Lemaire on his back. He'd probably start fast and stay in the front group until the last stretch, and that 's how it should be.

Gentil Donna might perform better on the outside, situation can change if it rains and the track gets softer. That'll give her more space and she won't be squeezed between other horses. If the track becomes soft, power horses like Epiphaneia would also have a chance.

Seems they sure do know how to make it harder to call a race. But then, that's the fun part of it.

The End

Caterpillar

4:34 p.m. Isla Bonita has dropped to second favored in the win odds, while Fenomeno has taken the place for the most favored. Apparently, many people have decided that the outer post is a disadvantage. I wouldn't blame them.

Personally, I'm more concerened about the track condition since rain is expected for the next three days. Think Isla Bonita has never run on soft track, so I can't make heads nor tail out of his performance on soft track cnodition. If it gets too soft and power demanding, it might wear out his stamina.

Well, can't say anything about that at this point. Will have to wait and see.

The End

Caterpillar