2:16 p.m. As expected, Shibuya was in chaos. I could barely move in the throngs of people. It feels like the crowd is getting bigger and bigger every year. Probably because they're mostly Japanese. Japanese feel more secure when they're doing the same thing in groups. Sometimes I wonder if they fully understand the concept of "indepedence."

Not just because I was exhausted from squeezing through the Halloween craze in Shibuya, I got up late and in a mad rush forgot all my manga stuff at home. Darn.

The End

Caterpillar

12:58 p.m. The news broke out yesterday, that Sony has released the new model of Aibo, a dog-type robot mounted with AI.

This morning, Cow has pulled up the website for ordering Aibo in hope to get one, but it turns out it already had been sold out in thirty minutes after it went on sale.

Too bad, but then on a second thought, we might get more information by the next time it hits the market.

The End

Caterpillar

9:40 p.m. Have had a relaxing day off except that my choice of route for bicycle-riding had been a mistake. It seems there has been a school festival, and there was a huge crowd dominating the roads. I had to get off the bike and push to avoid running over people.

After I got home, I settled down to watch the JBC races. You can watch races with your heart at ease when you haven't bought betting tickets.

Sound True has done a great job in JBC Classic to sweep the others from outside. Though that means he can't do the same thing again in Champions' Cup. If he does, he'd run out of stamina and sink.

The End

Caterpillar

12:24 p.m. Due to repetitive obstruction by my dear mother, I'm sleep-deprived and have started late. Very annoying as I have not only been deprived of sleep but also of time to call races and draw manga.

Some of the members who ran in yesterday's JBC classic will probably be coming out in Champions' Cup. Others are entering prep races. Epicharis is coming out in Sunday's Miyako Stakes after recess, as well as TM Jinsoku and Asukano Roman. Nonkono Yume is entered for next week's Musashino Stakes. Must check how they'd perform.

As for the Argentina Republic, a prep race for eiher Japan Cup or Arima Kinen, I merely need to check the winner. It won't be a very good step for either G1s. Oh, and old Curren mirotic, too. Hope he's doing well.

The End

Caterpillar

11:59 p.m. Today's almost ending.

It was a hard day today. I finished the washing in the morning and went out to accomplish one of the most important mission of this season: getting a new cover for my heating carpet. Without this, I would have to spend the whole winter shivering on the goza mat. Not to mention, I rather not.

So I've walked approximately 10 kilometers to the closest Nitori and purchased a washable, anti-bacterial, cushioned cover. Came back, vacumed the floor, cleaned and put away the fan and goza mat, also cleaned a pair of battered sneakers, and set up the heating carpet with the newly bought wonderful cover, all because I'm going down to the off-track betting four weeks in a row starting this weekend.

Sitting on the soft and fluffy cover, feeling very much satisfied.

The End

Caterpillar

4:12 p.m. About yesterday's prep races.

TM Jinsoku, the winner of Miyako Stakes looked really good, but cannot fully trust him for Champions' Cup, as Miyako Stakes winners haven't performed well in the past.

As for the Argentina Republic Cup, Suave Richard still seemed to have some more change in his stamina. Wichever race he'll choose Japan Cup or Arima Kinen, he might have a chance to perform well.

The End

Caterpillar

4:08 p.m. I don't know why, but we haven't been able to access the Internet since 10 minutes ago.

Since then, I've been kept on pending unable to do anything. Hello...

The End

Caterpillar

1:47 p.m. I was smoking on the veranda this morning, when a bunch of gray starlings flew and settled on the limbs of our astringent persimmon. It made me curious whether they'd risk to eat the fruit, so I watched quietly.

The starlings were chirping merrily to each other until one of them pecked at a persimmon. The next second, I heard a loud, alarming "EEEEEEEeeeek!!!" and with that cry, most of them flew away. There were still two of them left though, which perhaps might have been waiting for this chance to fill their stomachs. One of them challenged to take a peck at a persimmon, then another peck, and then another peck. He sure is a challenger, I thought as I watched him. But after approximately four pecks, the bird finally admitted the fruit was uneatable. He spat out his mouthful and flew away with the other one. It is the astringent persimmon that we have.

The End

Caterpillar

5:16 p.m. I wrote about starlings yesterday, a peaceful piece of topic and we dropped out of top ten in the ranking. I accept that as a protest to write about horse race instead of other things.

So here's your horse race topic : Smart Layer's rider is going to change to Yuga Kawada.

Her main rider Yutaka Take who had already led her to the winners' circle in her prep race Kyoto Daishoten, has fallen off while training and hurt his ligament. Therefore, he is not going to ride this weekend including Queen Elizabeth Cup, to avoid the "aftereffects" (of not being able to ride Kitasan, I guess).

Smart Layer's odds is sure to drop now.

The End

Caterpillar

2:28 p.m. I picked up horse race topic and we're back in top 10 in the ranking overnight. I must have got things right, then. Considering the situation, we might even be elevated in the ranking because today I'll write about the barrier draw.

Queen's Milagro in post number 1, Happy Yunibansu in post number 2, Tosen Victory in 3, Crocosmia in 4, Mozu Katchan in 5, Lys Gracieux in 6, Queen's Ring in 7, Touching Speech in 8, Denko Ange in 9, Mikki Queen in 10, Deirdre in 11, Smart Layer in 12, Jour Polaire in 13, Ukiyono Kaze in 14, Maximum de Paris in 15, Vivlos in 16, Rouge Buck in 17, and Eterna Minoru in 18.

Despite the downgrade of the rider, Smart Layer has drawn a good barrier.

The End

Caterpillar

2:12 p.m. Since I have only one meeting today, a friend I've met on my way to work has told me that I can take my time to call Queen Elizabeth Cup but actually, I have other things to do.

I was pretty much in between though decided my key should be Vivlos. She has high potential and has been training well, so no reason to cut her out. On the wheel would be, Queen's Milagro, Tosen Victory, Mozu Katchan, Mikki Queen, Deirdre, and Smart Layer. I'm basically for Vivlos, Mikki Queen and Smart Layer. Will cut one or two out, depending on the plus and minus of their weight.

The End

Caterpillar

8:31 p.m. I've totally forgotten that Mozu Katchan had been met with an accdent in Shukasho and, if not for that she could have won the race. I took Deirdre instead of Mozu Katchan and lost Queen Elizabeth Cup. Not that I'd won, since Viblos had been a blunder. Also, hadn't bought Crocosmia.

Meanwhile, although he had lost too, Cow has keyed Mikki Queen together with Mozu Katchan. Therefore, I've decided to have Cow call the remaining autumn G1 races instead of myself.

The End

Caterpillar

3:42 p.m. Let's put the past behind and move on.

This week we're having Mile Championship. Horses like Air Spinel, Red Falx, Satono Aladdin, Isla Bonita are entered for now. I think there are two main attractions in this race one, whether Yutaka is going to ride Air Spinel or not and two, whether Mirco would win again.

The End

Caterpillar

4:02 p.m. Since Mirco has been coming within third place in every G1 race since the Japanese Oaks, it would be natural to check out his horse for Mile Championship.

He will be riding Persian Knight, which he'd ridden in both Satsuki-sho and Japanese D'erby this spring, and mentioned that the distance was too long for the horse after he came in second in Satsuki-sho. And if my memory is correct, he'd also said in the same comment that Persian Knight might perform better in mile distance.

All right, so is that a buy or not buy?

The End

Caterpillar

1:17 p.m. News has broke out that Yutaka Take will be riding from this Sunday. It was said he'd injured his ligament during training last Wednesday, and he scratched off from all the races including Queen Elizabeth Cup last Sunday, to be on the safe side considering the future requests.

Although Yutaka is coming back, it seems the trainer od Air Spinel wasn't sure Take would be in perfect shape. News reports that Ryan Moore will be riding Air Spinel instead. Meanwhile, Yutaka has been requested to ride Jo Stricltly.

Ah. Air Spinel isn't an easy horse to control. At least I've been watching Take struggle with this horse. Wonder how Ryan would handle him.

The End

Caterpillar

4:10 p.m. It seems I've caught a cold (again) and in a terrible state. Hopefully, I've hit the bottom and on my way to recovery.

Since my condition is at its worst, it might end up as just an imprudent remark but Kluger or Sungrazer looks more interesting than the currently most favored old Isla Bonita. Well, I'll just have to wait and see what barrier they'd draw.

The End

Caterpillar

2:17 p.m. The awaited barrier draw has been announced, so let's take a look.

Black Moon in post number 1, America's CUp in 2, Youngman Power in 3, Sungrazer in 4, Satono Aladdin in 5, Danon Major in 6, Red Falx in 7, Maltese Apogee in 8, Reine Minoru in 9, Kluger in 10, Air Spinel in 11, Isla Bonita in 12, Grand Silk in 13, Garibaldi in 14, Moon Crest in 15, Win Gagnant in 16, Jo Strictly in 17 and Persian Knight in 18.

Kluger and Sungrazer both seemed to have made it through the draw. Wonder how Cow would call the race tomorrow, tee-hee.

The End

Caterpillar

5:54 p.m. As said before, will introduce Cow's call for Mile Championship this week. He is going to key Red Falx, Air Spinel and Isla Bonita on wheels of Satono Aladdin, Reine Minoru, Grand Silk, Kluger and Persian Knight on trio.

Just for your information, my key horse is Red falx, with Youngman Power, Reine Minoru, Kluger, Isla Bonita and Persian Knight on the wheel. So if Red Falx, Isla Bonita, Kluger or Persian Knight dominates the top 3 of the bulletin, we'd both win.

The End

Caterpillar

10:53 p.m. I realized that the track condition was slightly soft in the last minute and added Air Spinel to my wheel, but since my key horse Red Falx had sunk in 8th place, even that couldn't save me from the loss. I'm beginning to feel like I can't win this season...

As for Cow, his key horse Isla Bonita had sunk in 5th place, so there wasn't such a big difference after all. At least, I got the answer to my questions. Yutaka didn't ride Air Spinel and Mirco won again.

The End

Caterpillar

3:12 p.m. I am now seeing where I went wrong. I've been missing some of the most important factors in calling the race this season. It only proves that I'm simply not focused on horse race.

The solution to this would be to get rid of all the distractions and concentrate merely on horse race. But if I could do that, I wouldn't have been unfocused in the first place, you see.

The End

Caterpillar

4:36 p.m. I haven't even finished my review for Mile Championship, but breaking news has come in about Japan Cup.

The rider of Cheval Grand has been changed from Mirco Demuro to Hugh Bowman, a top jockey from Australia coming to Japan with a temporary jockey license.

That means Mirco is going to ride some other horse possibly no, obviously, Satono Crown. Satono Crown has had a bitter experience in his previous race Tenno-sho, losing against Kitasan Black by a neck. However, it still hasn't been announced officially, so must wait and see what happens.

The End

Caterpillar

3:31 p.m. The official announcement has been made that Mirco Demuro is going to ride Satono Crown in Japan Cup.

It all started when trainer O'Brien decided to enter Idaho in Japan Cup. Ryan Moore has already been asked to ride Satono Crown, though he had to cancel this in order to ride Idaho. Although whether Mirco Demuro was going to ride Cheval Grand at this moment was uncertain, we all thought he would. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ridden Cheval in Kyoto Dai-shoten, a prep race for Tenno-sho or Japan Cup. Satono Crown side must have made an offer around this point, to ensure Mirco as their rider. As a result, Cheval Grand was forced to find a new rider.

Well, well. After all the confusion, the win odds for Satono Crown is dropping rapidly as you an imagine.

The End

Caterpillar

5:47 p.m. The barriers for Japan Cup has been announced.

Cheval Grand in post number 1, Ray De Oro in 2, Guignol in 3, Kitasan Black in 4, Sounds Of Earth in 5, Iquitos in 6, Decypher in 7, Soul Stirring in 8, Rainbow Line in 9, Boom Time in 10, Makahiki in 11, Satono Crown in 12, Schiaccetra in 13, Idaho in 14, One And Only in 15, Yamakatsu Ace in 16, and Last Impact in 17.

Hmm... Kitasan and Satono both drew good barriers. Ray De Oro has drawn a tricky one. Whether it turns out heaven for him or hell, God only knows.

The End

Caterpillar

2:17 p.m. I have a hunch that post number 2 might bring heaven to Ray De Oro.

In the past ten years of Japanese D'erby history, Deep Sky, Logi Universe, Eishin Flash, Kizuna has won from post number 1, Win Variation and Satono Rasen has come in 2nd from post number 1, Dee Majesty has come in 3rd from post number 1, while One And Only has won from post number 2. That means the rate of horses that drew either post number 1 or 2 coming within 3rth place in Japanese D'erby for the past 10 years is 26%.

Although there is a difference between the Japanese D'erby and Japan Cup, if I should trust this data I ought to buy Ray De Oro and Cheval Grand.

The End

Caterpillar

3:17 p.m. I've pondered a great deal and am still pondering... I was going to key Ray De Oro but now I'm shifting a bit to Kitasan Black and cannot make up my mind. Whichever I'll key, I'll buy it on a wheel of Cheval Grand, Rainbow Line, Makahiki and Satono Crown. I want to win. I'm desperate.

As for Cow, he's keying Kitasan Black on a wheel of Cheval Grand, Ray De Oro, Schiaccetra, Soul Stirring, and Makahiki. Though this sly guy could buy something besides these actually, like Satono Crown and claim that he'd won.

The End

Caterpillar

10:56 p.m. Desperate as I was, I keyed Kitasan Black in the end. I wasn't quite sure Ray De Oro would win. But then, I was confident that it would be a match between Kitasan Black, Ray De Oro ans Cheval Grand, I bought a trifecta for these three. And wa-la! I won! The first win this season.

As for Cow, yes, he too did win and, he didn't buy Satono Crown as he boasts. So I'm thinking of having him call the race from now on.

The End

Caterpillar

4:11 p.m. Those who believed in our call and bought Cheval Grand, Ray De Oro and Kitasan Black, congratulations! I'm proud to announce that today we have been ranked in 6th place in the ranking. Thank you, all.

I've reviewed the race last night and here are some things I realized and the overview for the future.

Satono Crown seemed to run smooth on the outside, though it looked like he'd burned out all his stamina by the time he got a go from Mirco. Must be the damage from Tenno-sho. Makahiki did well despite his position, but I'm afraid that was his current best. Soul Stirring was fighting the reins all along, with Chritian Demuro struggling to calm her down. Perhaps she'll do better in a shorter distance. Ray De Oro dropped behind at the start. He didn't have a very bad start I think, but lagged after his second or third step to allow other horses to break in before him. If he'd been able to take his position more up front, he might have won. Also, Ray De Oro was fighting against Christophe which is a bit concerning especially, if he's entering Arim Kinen, a longer distance.

The End

Caterpillar

4:19 p.m. The day has come finally and suddenly.

Old One And Only, the Japanese D'erby champion of 2014 has been announced to retire from the turf. He won 4 races out of 33 throughout his career. His last win goes back as far as Koube Shinbun-hai 2014, and lately he's been rumored to have lost his will to win. Japan Cup held last week became his last run.

I'm glad to know he's starting his second life as a stud. Not many thougoughbreds can. And even if he didn't win, it was important to have him in the race rather than have the race one horse less. Appreciate the his career as a racing horse and hope he'll have success in his future.

The End

Caterpillar

2:30 p.m. I stayed up late searching all over for the racing form of Champions' Cup 2016, and as a result overslept.

After all the struggle, it transpired that we didn't go down to the off-track betting last year, which means I didn't buy the racing form. No wonder I can't find it although I dug out 12 years of racing forms dating back to the time when Champions' Cup was still called Japan Cup Dirt, and was still run on Tokyo 2100m.

So far I figured that horses that run in JBC performs well in Champions' Cup, but I don't think there's a big chance for Kopano Rickey this year. That is, unless we have some rain.

The End

Caterpillar

6:31 p.m. I've just got back from a meeting with a new client to see the barriers had already been announced for Champions' Cup. So let's take a look.

Kopano Rickey in post number 1, Katy Brave in 2, Mitsuba in 3, Nonkono Yume in 4, Meisho Sumitomo in 5, Molto Bene in 6, London Town in 7, Glanzend in 8, Gold Dream in 9, King's Guard in 10, Awardee in 11, Kafuji Take in 12, T M Jinsoku in 13, Sound True in 14, Apollo Kentucky in 15 and Rose Princedom in 16.

Uh-oh, Sound True drew an outer barrier! If my memory is correct, I think I've taken a mental note that outer barriers should be cut out.

The End

Caterpillar