[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by ELA

Connections don't manage horses for the fans. Period. Fans will continue to be disappointed if they hold owners and trainers to that standard. This filly was entered exactly where she should have been -- the best spot -- for themselves and for the filly. Nobody can debate they the connections don't have the filly's best interest in mind. That decision was based upon what the connections felt was best for her, and in reality nobody can dispute that as they don't "know" a fraction of what the trainer "knows" about this filly.

If there was some overt, constant, lobbying, etc. for her to be horse of the year and they were grandstanding about it, then you ask the question and critisize the decision that was made, and ultimately not give it to her because of the decision. That is not going on here. The trainer was asked a question -- a stereotypical, nonsensical question which means absolutely nothing -- and he answered it by complimenting his horse, and I think he did it humbly. He showed class -- which he always does. Maybe some people just don't recognize it.

Eric

well said, and for this we have a "I have lost all respect for John Shirreffs".