Rouge Card

Well, I can't say as I'm surprised - Miracle Rouge came home in a wildly disappointing 14th, which is her worst result by far. She had ran once before at Chukyo, and her bad result that time was put down to the long travel involved getting to the track. Why on Earth the trainer felt things would be different this time around is beyond my comprehension. He's saying she was in good condition before the race, but if the horse doesn't like long distances in the truck (which was used as an excuse only three months ago), it doesn't make any difference whether it's in the best condition since the day it was born or coughing up blood at the slightest sign of exertion - it simply will not perform well, period. This loss has to rank high up alongside Tenshinramman's mysterious fall from grace in the dismay stakes, but could have been avoided had track records been taken into account. It's nearly as pathetic as entering a horse that hates dirt in a dirt race, and then doing it again just to make sure what the horse was telling you the first time - in unspoken but painfully clear language - wasn't a porky. And yes, that has happened, too! Should I expect more from Carrot Club and the JRA trainers? I should have a right to, at least, but why bother - it only breeds yet more disappointment. A red card for all concerned...