Christmas Parade, who delivered an overwhelming record-breaking performance in the trial race Shion Stakes, is now based at Ritto Training Center, preparing for the G1 Shuka Sho. Adding to the team's confidence in securing her first G1 title, a special helping hand has arrived, none other than groom Kazuhiro Anze's father, Ryoichi Anze. Ryoichi is a skilled veteran who once worked at Miho Training Center for the Yokichi Okubo stable (which disbanded upon his retirement in spring 2015) and was responsible for handling top-class horses such as the five-time G1 winner Mejiro Dober.

Although he retired from the racing industry at the age of 67, Ryoichi has temporarily returned as a stablehand for 12 days to support the team until the day after the big race. Kazuhiro is grateful for the support, saying, "Christmas Parade can be a bit tricky temperamentally, and having my father here is a huge relief. We rarely get the chance to work together on the same horse like this, so it's really special. Whether at the stables or during meals, we're always talking things over while she's at Ritto Training Center."

Christmas Parade successfully completed her final trackwork on the Ritto Training Center slope course on Wednesday. Groom Kazuhiro noted, "She handled everything smoothly, and I think she's matured a bit mentally as well." Ryoichi, with his vast experience of handling legendary horses, also expressed his admiration, saying, "She's a fine horse. You can see the power in her stride just by looking at her footprints."

With a strong bond between father and son guiding her preparations, Christmas Parade is being sent off in peak condition to claim the final jewel in the Triple Tiara.