6:06 p.m. Now that my goal for the year has been reset, hope to shift up a bit before it although I know the next race is Champions' Cup, one of the G1 races I'm not good at winning.

As everyone already knows, Chrysoberyl would probably win despite his low odds as the most favored, the question is which horse he'd bring with him. Depending on the horse in tow, the payout could become big unlike JBC Classic.

Well, that's only my wishful thinking. Will just do what I can and wait for the best. Do the best and leave the rest to fate.

The End

Caterpillar

6:42 p.m. Dutifully working on the preparation for Champions' Cup, mind wandering off to Arima Kinen from time to time. Who could blame me?

No intention to leave out Chrysoberyl so far as the major dirt top races have been swept by this horse for tha past year. Unfortunately, no horse has yet to become a good enough rival for him which sadly seems to back up the fact that this year's 3-year-olds are frail.

If that's really the case, then it's the older horses to turn eyes to. How about Gold Dream? He sure has the potential to do well, but would he be too old?

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Caterpillar

6:55 p.m. Despite my excitement for Arima Kinen, Saturnalia has been announced to sratch off. Another spoiled horse here, he's only run two races this year. Very disappointed with you.

On the other hand, Kiseki has announced its entry while World Premiere and Authority are aiming to enter. I take my hat off to Kiseki's effort.

Have been quite busy today unable to think much of anything besides work. Just been to netkeiba.com to see a list. The title said "horses' weight after training" for horses entering Champions' Cup. Scanned through it and well, Arctos 556kg, Chrysoberyl 562kg, Satono Titan 594kg... they're getting closer to a cow.

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Caterpillar

1:29 p.m. On my way home yesterday, have realized that the barrier draw had already been announced. Sorry for the delay.

Chrysoberyl has drawn the unlucky outside post as well as Inti. Both of them can go up front so maybe there's no need to worry. Cafe Pharaoh has drawn a middle post which might be good for the horse. So far he's performed well in outer posts meaning, that he doesn't like to be squashed in the field.

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Caterpillar

7:53 p.m. Again, sorry to be late. I do feel guilty but also have my share of job to do besides calling races.

After a lot of pondering as usual, I settled my key horse on Cafe Pharaoh. Can't be perfectly sure, but a fresh horse works well in many cases especially, with Christophe's assistance. On the wheel would be Time Flyer, Gold Dream, Air Almas, Chuwa Wizard, Inti and Chrysoberyl.

Still need to cut one out from the wheel, though this is the furthest I got.

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Caterpillar

4:44 p.m. Gold Dream... a trustful horse. I've thought of keying this horse but have decided against it since Cow had denied it strongly and suggested Chrysoberyl instead. There's been many a times I regretted what I've done blindly following Cow's instructions. I should have known.

Though it's true that I wasn't confident in keying Gold Dream. That's why I relied on someone else's opinion, which was totally wrong. I wasn't quite sure that Chrysoberyl would screw up either although I had a hunch. Consequently, it was all my fault.

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Caterpillar

7:25 p.m. God, it's become so late! Wanted to get on home earlier but the moving agent had kept me on line for over 30 minutes and now I'm way behind schedule!!!

My review for Champions' Cup revealed my critical mistake of keying Cafe Pharaoh. The horse couldn't have performed highly in Champions' Cup, but I've missed to pick up that sign. If I'd noticed it I wouldn't have chose him as my key horse rather went for trustworthy Gold Dream, whatever stupid Cow might have said. Darn!

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Caterpillar

6:58 p.m. We've been met with a frequent blue screen problem on the updated version of Windows 10 which consumed most of our time since yesterday. Meanwhile, I've been having calls at very bad timings e.g. while I'm off to the bathroom and while I was at the dentist. I've sent them a message to reply via e-mail but so far they haven't.

As I checked the daily horse race news, it told me that Gold Dream is planned to run Tokyo Daishoten and if all goes well, is aiming to enter February Stakes 2021. The horse will be 8 years old next year, though having seen his performance at Champons' Cup, I wouldn't object to that plan. Just be careful I won't bet on him for Tokyo Daishoten.

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Caterpillar

5:11 p.m. Symboli Kris S, the winner of Tenno-sho (autumn)and Arima Kinen in 2002 and 2003 has passed away due to laminitis. Sad to hear the news. Symboli Kris S was a powerful and tough horse, he performed highly especially on firm, fast track. Success Brocken, Epiphaneia, Le Vent Se Leve were his descendants, all of them G1 winners. Hopefully, they would pass their gifted potential on to the next generation. R.I.P.

Am getting things done one at a time, though tasks keep piling up for some reason. One of the many things I'm not good at is multi-tasking... Will do what I can looking forward to a tiny light of hope this weekend, the Hong Kong Cup. It won't be easy I know, but there's a chance for my Win Bright to win again.

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Caterpillar

7:04 p.m. Exhausted, not only from work but from the frequent pc troubles. We've took care of my recent pc trouble by replacing the power unit (the power unit was doubtful and we were lucky enough to have kept an old power unit taken out from a different pc). Just as this was solved, Cow's computer went down. Spent every minute between work to find out the source of the problem which turned out to be the HDMI cable, struggled to switch the cables with my computer and finally regained an environment that we could both tolerate for now. Though it gave me another task of digging out an unused HDMI cable at home...

The only cheering news today was that Masayoshi Ebina (current jockey) has finally passed the certification exam to become a trainer in his 3rd try. Congrats to you, Ebina. It's been a long road, eh?

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Caterpillar

2:55 p.m. The barrier draw for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies has been announced.

Haven't had time to prepare much this week, what with the computer troubles and arrangements for moving. Will have to work hard from now. Meikei Yell has drawn the outmost post which usually tends to be a disadvantage on Hanshin mile however, things could be different this year since the inside of the track might be quite damaged due to overuse of the course. Need to check that out, too.

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Caterpillar

8:01 p.m. I've done my best, but I don't have confidence. It's been hectic and I'm not really sure what I'm saying.

Will key Opal Moon. I don't know why. Probably because she drew a good post and, she's a speed type who's good at 1400m. On the wheel would be Luxon, Geraldina, Sodashi, Satono Reinas, and Meikei Yell. Sorry folks, I think things will be settled by the week after next well, hopefully.

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Caterpillar

4:51 p.m. Terrible. My condition and performance are both at its bottom...

At one point yesterday evening, I'd keyed Satono Reinas but then went into a labyrinth, ended up totally lost. What made my thoughts wander off was the post. I'd thought that post number 7 was too risky to key Satono Reinas because she waas a Deep Impact descendant.

As it turns out, Christophe didn't have to hit the brake so my worries were unnecessary. If I'd been confident the pace wont slacken, I could have kept her as my key though I just couldn't be sure. Now, must start the dreadful cleaning and packing.

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Caterpillar

4:12 p.m. Having a nervous breakdown here. Really dreading the moving. Not the moving itself, but the packing and prepararions are driving me crazy. Frustration and anxiety are eating up my mind 24-7. I'm a sensitive person, you know. Very sensitive at that.

Feel I'm not focusing on anything, no matter what I do. Thus the stupid loss of Hanshin JF. After all, the safest horse to key was Sodashi, having advantage in barrier draw, pace, and racing schedule. I wouldn't have missed it if I were my usual self. That's why I'm sitting here all sour grapes.

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Caterpillar

6:37 p.m. Trying my best to regain my usual state. I've tried typing in the data for Asahi-hai Futurity Stakes, but feel distracted. That half of me is somewhere else terrified of accepting changes in the near future. Still, I'm trying desperately to hang onto myself. Never imagined that taking a step forward consumed so much courage.

Have chcked my notes from last year mentioning horses running in Daily-hai could be trusted, if/when the horse has little left-over damage from the race. I wonder if Red Belle Aube has damage after the breaking-record win?

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Caterpillar

2:20 p.m. Pondering whether Red Belle Aube has left-over damage from Daily-hai.

The horse has only run 3 times in his short career, all of which are mile races. Intervals between each race is over 4 weeks. That shouldn't be much burden even for a young horse.

Though the concerning thing is that Red Belle Aube is constanly losing weight since his debut despite the intervals. This is not a good sign. Added to this, the record-breaking win. He might win easily without an incident, but nah, I'd rather keep him on the wheel.

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Caterpillar

6:19 p.m. Have been busy being "relocation blue" that I haven't been able to focus on horse race. I didn't know there was actually a name for this state of mind, but there it is. Am very nervous, too nervous as a matter of fact to the point of painful.

Still, I try to wonder if Stella Veloce can perform well. Saudi Arabia Royal Cup winners have relatively been doing well in Asahi-hai after 2016. Danon Premium, Gran Alegria, Salios, all performed highly. What they share in common is that they've only run two races in their career, and that they've all won each race easily from an upfront position.

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Caterpillar

1:36 p.m. The barrier draw for Asahi-hai Futurity Stakes has been announced.

Red Belle Aube has drawn post number 8, which is probably not an ideal post to start for this horse. However, Satono Reinas has finished 2nd place last week, strating from post number7, so if the pace becomes faster than average, it wouldn't be much of a problem.

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Caterpillar

7:31 p.m. As mentioned earlier this week, I'm in a relocation blue state meaning, I'm beside myself. Have done the best I could but please note that I'm not quite focused.

Was torn between Stella Veloce and Ho O Amazon and finally decided to key Ho O Amazon. If Daily-hai was as high level as it's said, then would be more trustful than the possibly damaged Red Belle Aube. Stella Veloce could cope with fast track if need be in my humble opinion, though he might not be as high-potentialed as I hope he'd be. On the wheel would be Stella Veloce, Red Belle Aube, Jun Blue Sky, Mondreise, and Super Hope.

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Caterpillar

5:39 p.m. Aw, the other one. Should have believed in myself and keyed Stella Veloce regardless of the rider. But then, I didn't have Grenadiar Guards on my wheel, so it was a loss anyway.

Have to start my packing now. I got the big ones downstairs already. All I have to do now is throw what I need for the meantime into cardbord boxes. Am moving out tomorrow.

The End

Caterpillar

6:57 p.m. I'm exhausted. Can't move an inch more. Body aching everywhere. But it's done, finished. Have finished moving. Strangely, my relocation blue has also finished as abruptly as it had started. So it WAS relocation blue after all.

I do need some time to recover, though I think I can focus on races this week. It's Arima Kinen at stake and I'm willing to do everything I can to win the last JRA G1 this year.

The End

Caterpillar

6:54 p.m. Had to go shopping in between work. Carrying 5 curtains, a bath cover and a tension rod alone was a task. Tomorrow I'll have to go down to ward offices to take care of the paperwork not to mention, in between work. Daunting, really.

Will see if I can start on my preparations for Arima Kinen in my spare time though there doesn't seem to be much time left. In the meantime, I'll just tell you that mares that won Queen Elizabeth Cup the same year hasn't finished within 3rd place in Arima Kinen for the past 10 years, you know who I'm talking about?

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Caterpillar

6:24 p.m. Have finished the paperwork... It took nearly a whole day. Going through such old-fashioned procedures filling out forms at each city offices and waiting, waiting, waiting every time one relocates is such nonsense. Brother, it's the 21st century! Why can't they just leave a form on their web page? Credit card companies are doing it, why can't the government?

Exhausted after my dreaded task, though will work on my preparation. Hopefully, I'll have something to say tomorrow.

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Caterpillar

4:00 p.m. The barrier draw will be on aired on BS Fuji starting from 5 p.m. meaning, I won't be able to upload it until say, 5:30. I wonder how many people are watching that show? It seems to be an enjoyment just for the TV crew. I'd rather appreciate it (very much) if they just put it out on JRA website by 3 p.m.

Okay, the 3-year-olds both drew a good post. Let's see if they're really frail. Chrono Genesis also drew a good post. 80 % of the most favored in win odds have finished within 3rd place in the past 10 years, for your information.

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Caterpillar

6:13 p.m. It's been a while since I've been able to think only about races. Have finished today's tasks and had surplus time to focus on Arima Kinen. The win odds seem to be moving this afternoon with the top favored switching from Chrono Genesis to Fierement, whilst World Premiere and Lucky Lilac are going up and down. Am expecting more moving tomorrow afternoon.

Hopeful Stakes, the G1 for 2-year-olds held annually after Arima Kinen will be held tomorrow this year, before Arima Kinen. Not gonna call that as I want to concentrate on Arima Kinen. I'm not so interested in it at this point, anyway. Rather, check out the results of tomorrow's last race on Nakayama, Grateful Stakes.

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Caterpillar

7:39 p.m. Sorry to keep you waiting, I've been pondering, pondering, pondering from every perspective I can think of.

After all, I've decided to key Chrono Genesis, not Fierement. Sure I know the most favored does well in this race however, I can't tell which of the two are going to be the most favored at the time of the race tomorrow. Possibly Fierement, but that's that.

Also, I really wanted to key Babbitt but I freaked out. On the wheel would be Babbitt, Curren Bouquetd'or, Fierement, and Lucky Lilac. Have a happy Arima Kinen.

The End

Caterpillar

10:21 p.m. Too shocked that I'm not in the mood to write anything. I'd bought a wheel keying Chrono Genesis and lost...

Salacia... I thought it would be better to bet on Salacia than on Loves Only You or World Premiere, but it just didn't seem to register in my mind...

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Caterpillar

4:28 p.m. Will review Arima Kinen later during my off. Why, because Tokyo Dai-shoten is coming right up tomorrow. My 2020 won't end before Tokyo Dai-shoten.

Though I have lots of shopping and housework to do. Will see if I can upload my call later on.

For Tokyo Dai-shoten, I will key Omega Perfume. Can't help that. He might not win 3 years in a row, but will finish within 3rd place. On the wheel would be Morgiana Flavor, Work And Love, Nonkono Yume, Westerlund, and Casino Fountain.

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Caterpillar

6:05 p.m. Sorry my call was uploaded so late. But it must have become a good year-end for those who checked it just before the race.

I wish Casino Fountain had hanged in there for another 100 meters though Omega Perfume should be the one to get the credit today. He's put his name down in history with winning Tokyo Dai-shoten 3 years in a row. It's a great record even Hokko Tarumae couldn't achieve. Pretty sure Mirco was aming for this one. That's one of the reasons I cut out Loves Only You in Arima Kinen.

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Caterpillar

7:40 p.m. News broke out that an injury has transpired for Chrysoberyl. Seems the horse has hurt its tendon in the right hind leg. The injury is told to be a rare case and needs to be observed in the span of months. Racing plans will be thrown back to square one, I guess.

Very slowly and gradually, my new home is made into a relaxing place. I still have lots of things to buy but well, it'll come along with time. Hopefully, I'll get things ready by the end of this week so as to focus on Kinpai.

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Caterpillar

7:15 p.m. Have finished shopping for the least necessary things during the holidays, food included. Will need some more time to get all my things into proper position with additional shopping trips after New Year, but think I could stay home cozy.

Meanwhile the entries for Kinpai both for Kyoto and Nakayama has been out. Deep Bond seems to be running Nakayama Kinpai. Was wondering after his name disappeared from the Arima Kinen list. Well, it's Kinpai. Can't trust the favored so easily.

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Caterpillar