6:50 p.m. The barrier draw for Champions' Cup has been released.

If my memory is correct (since I didn't have the time to check out my old notes), posts outer than 12 are disadvantaged except for front runners and trailers. Though I guess T O Keynes could be called an exception. Plus, he's the one who is eligible as a repeater.

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Caterpillar

8:25 p.m. Why does it get busier every week? I've been stuck at work all afternoon until about 30 minutes ago possibly, because of the some trouble involving Microsoft Outlook. Eventually, I was forced to skip lunch and that's why I'm in a bad mood now. I'm a hungry caterpillar, you know?

To top up my bad mood, T O Keynes's win odds is showing 1.2 though yeah, sure it was expected. Still it doesn't make me feel better. Just when I decided to try quinella for a change. The only one thing that brightned me up a bit today was that our national team has beaten Spain to make it to the Knock-out stage. But that's thanks to Spain as they were probably aiming to finish 2nd.

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Caterpillar

8:12 p.m. Since I didn't have time throughout the week (and I have to work tomorrow, too darn!), haven't been able to give my call a deep consideration. Yet the clock is ticking away... So I'm just going to post my current decision. Please note that it could change later on.

Will key T O Keynes of course, this can't be helped. On the quinella wheel would be Sunrise Hope, Jun Light Bolt, Notturno, and Crown Pride. To keep up my motivation, am also planning to buy a bit of trifectas keying T O Keynes on the first, Jun Light Bolt on the second, on a wheel of Sunrise Hope, Notturno, Crown Pride, and Tagano Beauty.

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Caterpillar

6:46 p.m. Even quinellas couldn't save me.

Too disappointed with myself to do anything. If T O Keynes screws up his start and loses like that, what should I believe in? The only plausible reason for his unsatisfactory performance is fatigue in the span of a race horse's life. That the concentrated, high performing stage of his life has already been over and he'll start performing well and poor alternately.

If what I think is right and if T O Keynes runs Tokyo Daishoten in his next race, he'd probably perform better than today (unless he draws an outer barrier in a full-field). Too disappointed, have given up on cleaning today.

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Caterpillar

5:45 p.m. Looking at the entry form for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies trying to find some faith in it, but in vain.

That's because you never can tell much from the short careers of these fillies. Many of them has only run two or three races, some even one. How am I to guess which horse would win their first G1 race when most of them haven't even run in a grade race yet? Impossible!

Yet I've won this race before as a matter of fact, a couple of times though I admit I was probaly just lucky. But that's all I have to rely on. So here I am gathering what little hope and confidence I have left and pulling out my old notes.

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Caterpillar

8:06 p.m. Even World Cup couldn't give me a tiny piece of hope. Though I think our boys fought well overall except for the game against Costa Rica which had been a blunder. We still have a lot to improve but it seems we're on the right track.

And same goes for me. I have a lot to improve. As a start, have pulled out my notes for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies which reminded me that I'd won a trio last year, thanks to Lovely Your Eyes. I shall read my notes thoroughly and follow the same procedures carefully.

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Caterpillar

1:59 p.m. Okay. I've ordered something on Amazon about a week ago and it was supposed to be delivered by tomorrow, so I've been tracking the shipment. It hadn't been shipped yet when I checked the tracking system this morning, and now it says it's on the way probably, so that it will reach me by tomorrow. If they can ship and deliver in 2 days, why was I put on wait for a week?

Have read Sergio Echigo's comment on our national team and I fully agree to what he says. He's known with his (sometimes) harsh words hoewver, what he's saying is right. We ought to be grateful to have someone like him, rather than the media with sugary compensations.

Just a tip on Hanshin JF since I don't have time. Hanshin mile tends to lag and become instantaneous speed contests, but Juvenile Fillies rarely gets into a slow pace. Young horses are difficult to control especially fillies. Depending on the lineup, the pace could even get tight like last year.

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Caterpillar

6:57 p.m. The entry for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies has been closed and it's going to be another full-field race following last year and the one before.

Haven't been able to do any preparation whatsoever as well as last week, and I just can't trust Liberty Island, well at least not just yet, although I feel a sense of familiarty to this name. I did climb the statue of Liberty when I was a child though regretfully, not to the very top since my sister wasn't feeling well and I had to turn back.

Yuichi Fukunaga has announced his retirement by the way, from a jockey turning to a trainer (from next March, I reckon). I'll miss him, a good rider and jockey in a different way from his dad, but sending congrats and cheers for his new start. I can still recall the day he rode King Halo in his first D'erby like yesterday. Man, he was just a kid nervous as can be!

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Caterpillar

7:10 p.m. Okay, the barriers for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies is out so let's take a look.

Rivara possibly doesn't have to go but Santee Tesoro and Itinerator probably both want to take the lead. That might provoke a tight pace combined with the fact that there are about 10 front runners. If so, horses shortening their distances would have the advantage.

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Caterpillar

8:00 p.m. As I've mentioned a number of times, I'm not prepared. And I'm sorry to say that haven't quite finished my preparation as to call Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, though am diligently working on it at the moment.

Have narrowed down the candidates for my quinella wheel to seven, but haven't yet decided which horse to key. Let me just post the names of those seven horses for now. They are Kita Wing, Moryana, Liberty Island, Rivara, Do Eyes, Dura, and Ravel.

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Caterpillar

5:49 p.m. Aw you gotta be kidding, man. Another loss? Give me a break here.

There were signs it was going to be a tight lap but I've bet on a lagging average pace because it was Hanshin mile. I was wrong from the start. And Liberty Island! What were you doing in Artemis Stakes if you could run like that!? Though it's true she'd been saved by the tight lap and the post she drew.

Oh no, now I only have two more G1 races left to go this season (three to be precise, including Hopeful Stakes) without a single win. I don't want to lose them all, no I definitely don't want tot lose them all!

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Caterpillar

7:34 p.m. Took a peek on the entry list for Asahi-hai before starting on my review for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Luckily, there are only 19 horses entered, so it would be easier for me to start preparing. I just hope that anything unexpected don't suddenly pop up this week, really.

Meanwhile, JRA has announced they would start free live streaming for all races starting from March next year. It's about time they did that. They've been having huge profit for the past couple of years under the pandemic, it's time to return a bit to the fans. But then I wouldn't really need it especially, when I'm not winning.

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Caterpillar

7:04 p.m. Stumbling right from the beginning. Mama Cow has fallen off her chair again to land on her face while stupid Cow was out. It took me more than 15 minutes just her get her sit up right on the floor, then another half hour of struggle to pull her up on the bed (I gave up propping her up on the chair because of its height and chose the lower bed instead).

Nearly an hour of hard weight training (with over 50kg weight) has not only exhausted my muscles but ate up all my time before lunch. As a matter of fact, I was just about to have a late breakfast when it all happened. Thus everything was pushed off later leaving me rushed off again, while another unexpected visitor dropped by just before I sat at the desk.

So I'm sorry to have to say this but there's no updates on horseracing today, as I haven't been able to even check the news yet.

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Caterpillar

7:53 p.m. Having muscle aches following yesterday's unexpected heavy weight training. Though thankfully, mama Cow wasn't badly injured, just a slight bump on her forehead. That itself is a blessing. As for my muscle aches, might as well be glad it came today since muscle aches tend to come later as you get older.

About Asahi-hai. Again, there seems to be many front runners entered, so I should carve down in memory that the pace could, or even likely to get tight. The past three years have been run in tight pace and perhaps this year won't be an exception, depending on how the horses would be lined up. But surely, Shinryokuka will not be running after she's finished second in Juvenile Fillies, would she?

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Caterpillar

7:16 p.m. The entry for Asahi-hai has been closed though I haven't been able to do anything yet, as it has become so usual that it almost feels like it would go on forever.

Looks like it's going to be a 17-horse race (thank god, Shinryokuka has scratched off) and with about 10 or more horses being front runners, it's likely to become a tight lap (although still uncertain at this point). If so, there may be chances for horses like Ume Musubi, Suzuka Double, Labeling or Obanburumai to perform well. I don't want to be deceived by Yuga again, so perhaps I should keep Danon Touchdown on my wheel, but that depends on the barrier draw.

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Caterpillar

6:53 p.m. The barrier draw has been released and it looks like Danon Touchdown has drawn an outer post.

From the lineup, the pace is likely to get tight as I'd expected. But there's another concerning factor, the track condition. Rain is expected tomorrow in Hanshin Race Course possibly, from around noon. Even if it doesn't rain heavily, there's a chance that the track condition could turn rough after five turf races (plus three more on Sunday) all on the outer course, the same one as Asahi-hai.

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Caterpillar

8:21 p.m. Hmmm. To be honest, I have no idea which horse would win or even perform well in Asahi-hai.

Asahi-hai has always been a race for Deep Impact descendants to me however, there are no horses having Deep Impact as their sire any more. Besides, there are too many uncertainties this year such as the track condition, the pace, or the odds. Will just have to believe in myself, though.

Hoping the experience of his previous race would save him, am keying Obanburumai on a wheel of Dolce More, Tinia, Danon Touchdown, and Labeling.

The End

Caterpillar

6:54 p.m. The tight lap was what I'd expected, but I keyed the wrong horse. Christophe was already pushing Obanburumai in the back stretch which means the horse couldn't keep up with the speed.

34.1 seconds for the first 3 furlongs wasn't too fast for a horse that run the first 3 furlongs in 34.6 seconds in his previous race. The only reason I could thing of for his loss is the rebound from his consecutive high performance for the past two races. I should have been more careful however, that's exactly where I'm missing for months now. I know it but my brain circuit somehow takes a shortcut and I haven't been seeing such important factors. I want to get the circuit back on the right track but I just don't know how.

Well, just gotta keep trying I reckon. Now that I'm almost getting used to losing, I might as well count my consecutive losses to see it through. And you can use my calls as the ones to avoid.

The End

Caterpillar

6:04 p.m. Haven't really finished my review yet but am already thinking of Arima Kinen. Well, I guess that's natural since the year-end is only two weeks ahead.

Looking at the entrees, there aren't many front runners. Depending on the barrier draw, it would be either Breakup or Titleholder that'd take the lead, Title holder more likely. I wonder what would have happened if Panthalassa was here?

Anyway, if Titleholder takes the lead and keeps his own rythm and lap as usual, the chances are that he'd perform well although he might not be able to win. The question rather lies in Equinox, whether he could get over his first challenge for Nakayama 2500m.

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Caterpillar

3:01 p.m. I think I've said this before, but Equinox is Equinox not Kitasan Black. There isn't much we could say from his short career however, the two races when he performed better than his previous races were either in the same distance or shortened. And they were both on Tokyo turf. That's why I can't be perfectly sure as to key him, the way I did so with Efforia.

Still, Arima Kinen has already become a five-horse race inside me. Starting from now though is the hardest, toughest part. I need to think, think, think, and rethink over and over.

The barrier draw which would be in the center of attraction, will be held on Thursday!

The End

Caterpillar

7:12 p.m. Well, I wouldn't be surprised, though if Equinox beat the older horses altogether. If Christophe could go up front and still keep him under control, there's a chance for Equinox to become the champuion of this year-end Grand Prix. But is it only me that he kind of reminds Almond Eye?

It's probably going to be a match between Titleholder vs. Equinox as everyone is thinking. And while that's drawing attention, I'll think about what other horse could cut in between them. My interest is specifically on horses from Kiika-sho, Queen Elizabeth Cup, and Deep Bond.

Deep Bond has brought me a quinella win last year which means he has the potential and aptitude for performing well on Nakayama 2500m, so why leave him out?

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Caterpillar

6:45 p.m. The barrier draw has been openly broadcasted and now we have the results.

The front runners Titleholder, Breakup and Deep Bond all drew outer posts, so I guess the lap won't be so tight. I'm guessing it would be average. If so, front runners and horses that performed well in their previous races would have the advantage.

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Caterpillar

7:37 p.m. While pondering about Arima Kinen, I've realized there were some differences between Equinox and Almond Eye. I mean, of course they are different since they are two different horses, though I've been feeling some similarity between these two horses as they were both ridden by Christophe, both having outstanding instantaneous speed.

One is that Almond Eye had never run at Nakayama until she lost in Arima Kinen, whereas Equinox has already earned himself the runner-up in Satsuki-sho. If Equinox didn't have aptitude against Nakayama, he probably wouldn't have finished 2nd. Besides, Satsuki-sho was his first race since the year before and he was a bit out of shape. Still the gap between Equinox and the winner Geoglyph was merely a length or even smaller.

Another thing is that Almond Eye's previous race before Arima Kinen was Tenno-sho which ironically conincides with Equinox's previous race however, the pace was different. Tenno-sho 2019 was run in a sleepy, slow lap while this year it was led by Panthalassa at heart-breaking speed. Almond Eye had to face the tight-lapped Arima Kinen after she'd won Tenno-sho breaking the record. Equinox didn't break the record, he just ran Tokyo 2000m like he ran Tokyo Sports-hai. What I'm saying is that Equinox might have some leeway.

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Caterpillar

8:27 p.m. It's been like this for quite a while now, but I've been working on Christmas eve and haven't quite reached conclusion yet for Arima Kinen.

So again, I'll post my current decision here, though I'm bound to ponder it until the last minute before the race tomorrow. I'd simply key Equinox on a wheel of Boldog Hos, Geraldina, Titleholder, Breakup and Deep Bond. Though I'd have to admit that perhaps Titleholder is better to key as he definitely goes up front. I'm still swaying there.

Someone I knew has dropped by to thankfully give me a bottle of sparkling wine as a Christmas present. Feeling grateful, I'm crossing my fingers so I could win and open that bottle tomorrow.

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Caterpillar

4:15 p.m. Thank you, everyone! I've won the quinella of Arima Kinen! Finally, finally!

It was a long ride really however, I was finally able to put a period to my consecutive losses. Thanks again for not leaving me, tears, tears.

I have to go now. The sparkling wine is waiting for me with a label that reads "Drink Me".

The End

Caterpillar

7:26 p.m. Feeling like I'm finally back on track after winning Arima Kinen. I mean, this was what I wanted to do. I've guessed the pace right, figured out the horses that were likely to perform well, chose the right betting ticket and bet systematically. All went well and the result just came after it.

Ideally, it would have been even better if I'd been able to stick to my logic with my trifectas but then, that's wishing too much for now. Will need to work on that part as my next step, though.

There are still two more races left this year however, I'm undecided about buying betting tickets since this win has brought me such big relief and joy. I'm thinking of posting my call for Hopeful Stakes and Tokyo Dai-shoten for now.

The End

Caterpillar

8:32 p.m. It took me more than 4 days to finish designing next year's New Year Greeting cards, what with calling Arima Kinen and the usual business of year-end. Now I'm finally done with it though there's another daunting task of printing them out and writing messages on them.

I've done a quick research no, that's not true. Have made a quick assumption on Hopeful Stakes and decided that Hearts Concerto may be a good enough horse to key. On the wheel would be Top Knife, Seven Magician, Gastrique, Monde Plume, and King's Reign. May not buy betting tickets, though. Haven't decided yet.

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Caterpillar

1:59 p.m. Sorry for skipping again yesterday. I wasn't feeling well and couldn't even buy betting tickets for Hopeful Stakes. Checking the results now. Oh shit, Dura Erede! Darn, I should have guessed. Hearts Concerto lost in 7th place. So that means he's probabaly better off in a small-field, instantaneous speed race on Tokyo turf.

Want to take a look at Tokyo Daishoten, but have to go out. Maybe later.

6:30 p.m. Have made a regrettable mistake. Tokyo Daishoten has already be run and finished by the time I got home. Of course it was run at 3:40, it's not JBC. But well, it might have been good altogether so as to save money for Kinpai. Will go check the results now.

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Caterpillar

6:38 p.m. Have finished all my chores for today, am not having work until the end of next week (yeah!), think I could start considering about Kinpai as early as tomorrow, yeah, yeah!

Of course, I shall review the past couple of races since I've been neglecting that, using Arima Kinen as an excuse. But that's nothing compared to the excitement I'm feeling now for Kinpai.

Arrgh! Just remebered I hadn't printed out the greeting cards yet. Darn!

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Caterpillar

7:06 p.m. I was supposed to have plenty of free time and look what happened? Haven't even done the greeting cards. It's all too late anyway, what difference does it make if I printed them out, wrote messages and send them out tomorrow?

Looking back it's been a busy year in many ways except business as sadly, my business was slow. Hopefully next year, I'll have a bit more free time to focus on what I want to do. Thanks for viewing bite-JAPAN everyone, will do my best to be a better caterpillar next year. Wishing all of you a happy new year!

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Caterpillar