October
MayDissident dissenter
I find it hard to believe that Dissident is being discussed as a possible Horse of the Year. He is a good horse, but not our best horse.
Two of his four Group 1s, the Memsie Stakes and the C.F. Orr, are B-grade Group 1s given that status by a Group 1-mad Pattern Committee. This committee has big commercial breeders on it, and naturally they would like the number of Group 1s to be increased, despite the cheap look it gives our racing.
There are no standouts for Horse of the Year and the season is not yet over, but I think Brazen Beau and Vancouver should figure prominently.
If a two-year-old is named Horse of the Year, it does indicate that the older horses are not great. I believe that to be the case this season.
Frankston South (Vic)