Mr Ikee said;
We worked Deep Impact on the fibersand course at Chantilly training grounds this morning instead of the dirt course, which was too soggy. It was a very light exercise but I think that it was good enough to keep him in good shape. It was raining very hard until dawn but it cleared up before we started today's training. I really feel that Deep Impact is blessed with good luck.
Since arriving here, he's been training for almost two hours everyday on the sand course, which is deeper than that of Japan so I think that he's got good muscle on the buttocks. We are ready for the race. We will have Yutaka Take on Deep Impact on Wednesday, which is going to be virtually the final preparation for the Arc. He will have his shoes changed on Friday and Saturday. We will discuss with the horse van company about what time we will leave the yard on the raceday. To lessen the burden on him, we will seek some advice from the company about the best way to transport him.
It is kind of rainy at this time of the year in Paris, but I believe that Deep Impact will cope with a soft ground. I compare my feelings about him now to that of Miyamoto Musashi, one of the greatest Japanese swordsmen, who lived in the 17th century. We don't need to sharpen this great sword any more. I just put it back in the sheath and wait for the raceday so that he will be able to run the race of his life. It's my responsibility to race him in the best condition. I want to go home with the best possible result.
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