2:23 p.m. Okay, it's Champions' Cup. Hopefully, I'll win two races in a row.

My key is Le Vent Se Leve, not to mention. He's in a different level compared to his rivals. On the wheel would be Ange Desir, Nonkono Yume, Sunrise Soar, Omega Perfume and perhaps Westerlund. I'm not yet decided whether I should but a trifecta keying Le Vent Se Leve on top and Omega on second, or trio keying Le Vent Se Leve. Also not sure about buying Westerlund, but if he ever gets a chance to perform well in a G1, I think it's this time.

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Caterpillar

8:57 p.m. There's good news and bad news.

The good news is that Le Vent Se Leve won as expected with Sunrise Soar and Westerlund in tow.

The bad news is that I'd bought a trifecta with Le Vent Se Leve on top, with Sunrise Soar on second and Westerlund on third...

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Caterpillar

3:05 p.m. Congrats to those who believed in my call and bought trio not trifecta. Your judgement was correct and you earned the prize.

A loss is a loss, though there were many things I've learnt from this year's Champions' Cup and my loss will not go in vain. If what I'm thinking is true, I will be able to win more trifectas in the future. Will keep working to prove it.

The End

Caterpillar

3:10 p.m. Have taken a peek at the entry form for this week's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, but there were 23 horses entered at this point and my motivation has shrunk. Will have to wait for a couple more days before JRA decides which horse runs and which horse doesn't.

Meanwhile, I satisfied my interest by looking at members entered in Capella Stakes, a G3 dirt sprint race held on the same Sunday as Juvenile Fillies. The most favored has never won in this race, ever since the race was founded in 2008. Tempting.

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Caterpillar

6:38 p.m. I've been verifying and re-verifying my method to make sure it works. And in the process, I've spotted a small article in Sunday's racing form about Lia Fail retiring.

Ah, Lia Fail... The name reminds me of how he defeated Real Steel in Kobe Shinbun-hai. I thought he was a real tough horse and keyed him in the following Kikka-sho, only to lose because I hadn't bought Kitasan Black. The next spring he swung me around until I finally realized I overestimated him... Bitter memories but still I wish the best for his second life.

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Caterpillar

4:40 p.m. Yutaka has been charged penalty. In the 4th race at Happy Valley tracks in Hong Kong, his horse Lucky Lucky has interrupted Mister Right approximately 350 meters before the finish line, and Yutaka has been charged penalty of suspension by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Adjudication Committee from 26th to 29th, December. Following the decision, JRA has announced to charge the same penalty on Yutaka.

Yutaka is now cornered to a tight spot where his consecutive annual G1 win record migth come to a stop, while remaining chances are getting less. Well, at least he could ride Hanshin JF, Asahi-hai and Arima Kinen. That means the recently announced matching with Oju stays unchanged.

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Caterpillar

2:28 p.m. The barriers for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies has been announced.

Belles Soeurs in post number 1, Jodie in 2, Pourville in 3, Schon Glanz in 4, Meisho Shobu in 5, Star Quartz in 6, Win Zenobia in 7, Love Me Fine in 8, Crono Genesis in 9, Tanino Mission in 10, Beach Samba in 11, Red Anemos in 12, Danon Fantasy in 13, Savoir Aimer in 14, Rosen Krieger in 15, Glacier in 16, Tolochenaz in 17, and Meisho Keimei in 18.

I wish Schon Glanz and Beach Samba's post were reversed... Danon Fantasy has the advantage concerning this draw.

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Caterpillar

2:34 p.m. I haven't been good at calling mile races for as long as I can remember, and as usual I had trouble cutting into Hanshin JF. But I've had a breakthrough lately so think I can manage this year.

I would key Danon Fantasy on first, Beach Samba on 2nd and on a wheel of Crono Genesis, Savoir Aimer, Schon Glantz, and Red Anemos either on trifecta or trio. For trifectas, I'd buy another wheel keying Danon Fantasy and Beach Samaba on first and third respectively, just in case. We all learn from mistakes, you see.

Haven't had enough time to call the more tempting Capella Stakes since I'd made a careless mistake in my procedures, though currently I'm down to Kopano Kicking (not key), Tateyama, Hat Love, Win Mut, King's Guard and Kitasan Mikaduki. Will have to doubl-check it though.

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Caterpillar

6:54 p.m. Those of you who bought trio including Cow, congratulations for winning Hanshin JF!

As for me, I have woke up too late way past noon and being in a mad rush of washing my clothes and two weeks worth of cleaning, I forgot to buy the trifecta keying Danon Fantasy and Beach Samba on first and third... Who said anything about learning from mistakes?

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Caterpillar

3:19 p.m. Thanks to my new secret method, I've been calling the races right three weeks in a row now. Though I haven't been winning myself as I make tiny misses when I actually buy betting tickets...

This week it's Asahi-hai. The setting will be the same as this week so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, I've learned yesterday that there was this one horse that Danon Fantasy, Hanshin JF winner couldn't beat that is entered in Asahi-hai. Tee-hee, that sounds promising!

But then it transpired just now that the horse was a fillie...omg.

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Caterpillar

3:44 p.m. While stories of Gran Alegria or Ojuchousan had been told, Suave Richard has secretly scratched off from Arima Kinen.

Not that it matters much but now the interest on winning would be more concentrated on Rey De Oro, dropping down his odds even more than expected. One thing that might make Arima Kinen a bit more interesting though, is that Mozu Katchan seems to be entered in the race, with Mirco Demuro as the rider.

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Caterpillar

2:27 p.m. In the meantime, Gran Alegria is gathering attention whether she would become the first champion to win Asahi-hai as a fillie, in 38 years.

But it might not go that easily with rivals like Admire Mars or Fantasist. Especially Fantasist, since Yutaka is probably eager to win. Asahi-hai is the only G1 he hasn't won in his career. That is, excluding the newly established Hopeful Stakes.

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Caterpillar

2:50 p.m. While we're waiting for the barrier draw for Asahi-hai tomorrow, I realized that the number of entry has decreased to 15 from over 20. What, is everyone so scared of Gran Alegria? Nonsense. How can one get a chance to win if not even in the race?

I've also realized a small article reporting the retirement of T M Jinsoku. Though I'm being a bit sentimental, I'm sure to remember him every year before Champions' Cup.

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Caterpillar

2:36 p.m. All right folks, so here's the draw.

Kurino Gaudi in post number 1, Gran Alegria in 2, Aster Pegasus in 3, De Gaulle in 4, Meiner Surpass in 5, Admire Mars in 6, Salt Ibuki in 7, Deep Diver in 8, It's Cool in 9, Girasol in 10, Cadence Call in 11, Kopano Martin in 12, Nihonpiro Henson in 13, Fantasist in 14 and Emeral Fight in 15.

Not much pros and cons for the draw. I'm more concerned about the weather as it might affect the track condition that would definitely affect the result. Rain is expected in the later time of Sunday. The question is when it will start raining and how much.

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Caterpillar

2:00 p.m. Don't have much time so will get straight to the point.

My key is Fantasist. Think he's the safest choice considering the top 3. Putting him on the 2nd place, will buy a wheel of Gran Alegria, Admire Mars and Cadence Call on first with Aster Pegusus on 3rd. Another wheel would be Gran Alegria, Admire Mars and Cadance Call on 1st, the same three plus Aster Pegusus on 2nd and Fantasit on 3rd. Am also planning to buy exacta with Fantasist on 1st and Gran Alegria, Admire Mars and Cadance Call on 2nd, just to be on the safe side.

Don't think it's going to be a wild race but must keep checking the weather. Might change a bit depending on the track conditon, though basically I think the race will end up with these top 5 horses.

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Caterpillar

7:27 p.m. How stupid of me! The race setting was the same as last week but somehow I assumed it'd be a hi-lap race! If I was calm enough to realize the lap rarrely becomes tough on Hanshin mile, I wouldn't have let the horses in inner posts go without checking! Darn!

Okay, next!

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Caterpillar

3:44 p.m. Of course I want to finish up my review for Asahi-hai in a flash and move on to Arima Kinen. Well I just couldn't control myself to take a peek of the entry form and wa-la! Number of horses have magically increased since last week!

There were three new names on the list, Platinum Bullet, Baby Step and Ridgeman. Ridgeman I can understand though his schedule seems a bit tough, as the horse has won Stayers' Stakes. Platinum Bullet okay, he'd won a G2 before. But Baby Step? It seems he's actually taken "baby steps" since his debut in 2016, that the horse is still in 10 million class which is 2 grades below grade races.

I don't mind more entries, think it's rather better than a 14-horse race. My guess is these new names would be nowhere to be seen on Wednesday when the entry closes, just as nothing happened.

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Caterpillar

4:40 p.m. Have been rushed off to write by Cow who had "forgotten" to upload yesterday's Murmur and also "forgotten" to start heating up our lunch in time for the afternoon meeting, because he was too caught up in his online game.

As for today's part of this Murmur, there's no need to hurry as the major contenders of Arima Kinen are already quite clear. Not yet, though. The names of those horses will be announced on Saturday, so stay put and look forward to it, folks.

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Caterpillar

6:27 p.m. Have been busy designing New Year greeting cards and haven't had the time to get a closer look on Arima Kinen members. Since the design is mostly done and now waiting for the cards, I can get down to crossing out the less potential horses tomorrow, hopefully. The barriers would also probably be announced tomorrow afternoon.

Blast Onepiece has been pushed up to the fifth favored as of today, though I swore to myself not to overestimate this horse when he let me down twice; after the Japanese D'erby and Kikka-sho.

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Caterpillar

4:27 p.m. The annual public barrier drawing for Arima Kinen you know, the usual fixed draw, seems to start from 5:00 p.m. so I can't announce the barriers yet. Our guess is that Rey De Oro draws either post number 2 or 3.

Okay. According to the flash report on netkeiba.com, Oju Chousan in post number 1, Clincher in 2, Mozu Katchan in 3, Makahiki in 4, Perform A Promise in 5, Satono Diamond in 6, Sounds of Earth in 7, Blast Onepiece in 8, Ridgeman in 9, Mikki Swallow in 10, Mikki Rocket in 11, Rey De Oro in 12, Smart Layer in 13, Kiseki in 14, Cheval Grand in 15, and Sakura Empereur in 16.

So JRA is trying to add some excitement this year with Oju, eh? Or maybe they think that Rey De Oro wouldn't need any advantage to win.

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Caterpillar

5:48 p.m. Since the steeplechase star horse Oju Chousan is running in Arima Kinen this year instead of Nakayama Dai-shougai (Jump G1), Up To Date the all-time runner up in steeplechase, seems to be the most favored under the odds of 1.4.

Cow has been boasting that Arima Kinen would finish with the top 3 favored horses plus Mikki Rocket. The top 3 favored horses as of now seems to be Rey De Oro, Oju Chousan and Blast Onepiece, though I wonder if he really meant these 3.

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Caterpillar

2:38 p.m. Sorry to keep you all waiting, so here's my call for this year's Arima Kinen.

Mozu Katchan and Rey De Oro would be the key.I'd buy both of them on first and second on trifecta. On the wheel would be Kiseki, Mikki Rocket and Cheval Grand. Kiseki might be able to hang on to 3rd if the lap becomes either average or slow. As for Mikki Rocket, I'm still considering whether to put him on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Might throw in Clincher in 2nd or 3rd if the track condition turns soft.

Okay everyone, happy Arima Kinen!

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Caterpillar

10:55 p.m. Forgive me everyone, I feel responsible for raising your hopes and then letting you down. And please forgive Mozu Katchan if you will. She wasn't herself today.

If I am allowed to make an excuse, I was also beside myself, too. I hadn't been quite focused since yesterday and making careless mistakes such as dropping the just-printed greeting cards and spreading them all over the floor, or making misses repeatingly on my report or, even forgetting to check the weight of each horses. This has never happened before but I hadn't noticed until Cow mentioned about it after the race...

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Caterpillar

9:00 p.m. I couldn't sleep well last night, not just because the radio noise from the room next door was too loud but because I felt so regretful and sour about Arima Kinen. I wish I could make up for my own feelings however, there aren't any G1 races left to win except for Hopeful Stakes which seems difficult since the contenders are all 2-year-olds.

Have been very much frustrated though me weekend jogging has helped vent out some of it.

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Caterpillar

4:20 p.m. To be precise, there is actually another G1 left besides Hopeful Stakes, although it's not a JRA race. Tokyo Dai-shoten. This year it's going to be run on the 29th, and it's literally THE LAST G1 race of the year. After this, I'll just have to wait until Kin-pai.

The barrier draw for Tokyo Dai-shoten has been announced at a perfect timing, so let's take a look. Meiner Reborn in post number1, K T Brave in 2, Superstition in 3, Mogiana Flavor in 4, Omega Perfume in 5, Acorn in 6, Sound True in 7, Yamami Dance in 8, Flaring Dia in 9, Regent Rock in 10, Chrysolite in 11, Work And Love in 12, Gold Dream in 13, Cosmo Placidez in 14, Groom Island in 15, and Apollo Kentucky in 16. Oh well, the usual members.

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Caterpillar

1:37 p.m. The news of retiring horses have been delivered. Smart Layer and Red Falx are retiring. I'm really glad for Smart Layer that she was finally allowed to leave the turf. I couldn't believe the owner when she was entered in Tenno-sho spring. How could one make an 8-year-old mare race in a 3,200 meter race when she has never run such a long distance in her life?

After I'd read the article of the retirement, I've scanned through the entry form of Hopeful Stakes. Saturnalia seems like a good horse and so is Nishino Daisy, but who can tell if these horses could actually win a G1 at this point while most horses haven't even run on Nakayama turf?

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Caterpillar

3:39 p.m. First day of New Year vacation. I know I'm not good at it but tried calling the last JRA G1 this year, Hopeful Stakes.

Saturnalia would be the key. He seems to be a couple of grades above other horses at this point. On the wheel would be Breaking Dawn, Admire Justa, and Vin de Garde. Will shut my eyes to Nishino Daisy and cut him out. A trio would be my choice as I lack confidence for a 2-year-old race.

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Caterpillar

5:21 p.m. I owe everyone an apology. I said I would buy a trio with Nishino Daisy cut out for Hopeful Stakes. But you know me, I freaked out at the last moment and included Nishino Daisy. Additionally, because the trio odds were so low, I'd bought a trifecta keying Saturnalia on first and Nishino Daisy on 3rd.

Don't mean to make amends to you though since I went out, I've also bought betting tickets for tomorrow's Tokyo Dai-shoten. What I bought is a trifecta of Gold Dream, K T Brave and Sound True, with an additional trio of K T Brave and Superstition keying Sound True and Gold Dream. Don't really care much whether I win this one or not because I'd already got what I wanted however, it would be nice to finish this year with a win.

The End

Caterpillar

5:13 p.m. Unfortunately, I didn't win Tokyo Dai-shoten though leaving that aside, I was appalled at the trio payout.

The payout of trio with Omega Perfume, Gold Dream and K T Brave turned out to be 250 yen while the win payout for Omega Perfume was 370 yen. This is probably the lowest payout for trio that I'd ever seen in my life. It's even lower than the quinella payout which was 340 yen. People who bought this trio is way beyond my understanding. And a realized once again, that this is "the local race".

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Caterpillar

5:32 p.m. A quiet and slow Sunday in a while. Most of the races have finished for this year including the Tokyo Cinderella Mile at Ohi, literally the last grade race of this year. Mr. N-jima must have bought this one instead of Tokyo Dai-shoten, wonder if he'd won?

Now that all the races have ended, there's nothing much for me to do concerning horse race until Kinpai that runs on January 5th next year. There are things I'd have to start working on that I've been putting aside, but even with those tasks I have plenty of time to ponder Kinpai.

The End

Caterpillar

6:34 p.m. It's New Year's Eve. Every year when this time comes around, I hear John Lennon's words "What have you done?" ringing in my ears and feel guilty.

Come to think of it, I've struggled and managed to achieve a couple of things this year such as write the first several pages of my original managa, put together my own method for winning G1 races, or preparing for a side job which hopefully will bring me some more income. These are all personal and once again I realize that I'm a selfish person.

Now when I'm facing the beginning of a new year, I feel like there's been too much violence, hurting, selfishness, unconcern and thoughlessness recently, I fear that our world could be falling apart in the next couple of decades. I truly wish from the bottom of my heart, that we will be able to think and choose for ourselves without being carried away in our busy modern lives, floods of information, and selfish assumptions that come from fear and anxiety. Love and peace for you all!

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Caterpillar