Quote:
|
Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind
OK, reality check time, as apparently there are so few good horses these days that when a nice one comes along the whole world seems poised to declare him the second coming. Discreet Cat is a very nice horse but people are getting seriously carried away.
Here's a comparison.....Congaree was a VERY good horse, but I don't know that he was perceived with the reverance Discreet Cat seems to be receiving here, and at least one of his Cigar Mile wins was more impressive than Discreet Cat's. Now, Discreet Cat may improve, as he certainly hasn't had an extensive campaign, but who knows how ANY horse will return from Dubai.
A few days ago Bernardini was the greatest thing since sliced bred, at least according to a number of people here, despite not running faster than many of the top horses we have seen over the last quarter century. People were talking about his beautiful stride, the ease with which he won, and blah blah blah. Then, you know what happened? he faced a competitive field. Suddenly he was just another good horse who lost to another good horse.
Let the horses REALLY do the talking. Appreciate them for what they are but stop setting them up to disappoint. Discreet Cat could, and well may, lose to another good horse, should one hopefully come along. It won't diminish his actual ability, just as Invasor's BC win didn't diminish Bernardini's, only the unreal expectations and accolades placed upon him.
|
Great post. I also think there is another aspect at play here -- some % of people, whether they be professionals gamblers, bloodstock agents, or whatever they may be, tend to look at horses in different ways. There's almost a type of coginitive dissonance going on here in the background. Some may look at the horse, subconciously and without knowing at all, strictly looking to "beat him" next time. Others may look at it completely differently, perhaps wanting him to be "the horse" that we've all looked for high and low for quite some time. Others, in a different way, perhaps many other ways.
I also think that many people are catching the "potential" bug and that is not only contageous but also an easy target for critisizm.
Eric