That's the one word Roxburgh trainer Geoff Knight produced when asked to describe the 2015-16 harness racing season as he and his training partner, wife Jude, prepare to line up five horses at Forbury Park tonight.
The Knights have had 21 winners this season, 19 fewer than last season's haul of 40 due to problems with a bug sweeping through the stable in the spring, and their best horses going amiss at the wrong time.
"We had setback after setback with that problem we had early on, then we had nice horses going off the boil like Zenmach,'' he said.
"It's a frustrating season, but all in all we've had 21 wins so far and we might get to 25 wins by the end of the season, and that would be a pass mark for the team we've had and the frustrations we've had.''
While Knight believes this week's team might be the "most average'' they bring to Forbury Park this winter, Bettordean is still not without a hope in the third heat of the Forbury winter sprint series.
Bettordean won the first heat of the series on June 2, and is one of the form runners in the race after his fourth last week.
He will start from barrier 4, with Pulling The Strings (1), Melina Lowe (2) and Culler Coded (8, inside of the second row) sure to make the first 200m very interesting as the field reaches the first bend.
"There's pace on the inside, but having said that, he's an on-speed runner, so if you don't go forward, you head back and you might as well leave him at home, so we'll be going forward.''
While punters generally know what they are going to get with Bettordean, the same cannot be said of new arrival Buffalo Soldier (race 2) and trotter Flurry (race 3).
Buffalo Soldier is not short of speed - no surprise when he is a half-brother to Italian Stallion and Beach Bunny - but the directional aptitude is where he is coming unstuck.
"He had a lot of steering issues, but he's got a lot of high speed for a big horse,'' Knight said.
"He's a work in progress and we're going to be driving him very cold this week to get his confidence. Next week from a standing start is the time to watch him.''
The Knights have taken the blinds off Flurry and put pacifiers on as they try to get the mare to settle in the early stages.
"She's just one of those horses who is breaking our hearts at the moment, but we aren't giving up and we'll never give up on her,'' Knight said.
"She's got oodles of ability and when she gets it, she's going to get it. She's got to find a helmet to settle on very quick in the race and then she's OK. But if she's left in the clear, she starts thinking about what she can do.''
Jerry Fitz is the best of the Knights' two chances in the third claimers' heat provided he is close enough on the home bend.
"Jerry's run last week was actually full of merit. If he can settle three deep or four deep at the worst and get on their backs turning in, that's when he's potent.''
The other claiming runner, Love That Guest, is a "bit of a handful'' and the overcheck goes back on the 4yr-old.
Tips from the talent
Brad Williamson
Ossessione (Race 9, No 3)
Rory McIlwrick
Stunnin VC (Race 5, No 1)
Matthew Williamson
Bet's Commando (Race 1, No 1)
Amber Hoffman
Greenburn Creek (Race 10, No 8)
Nathan Williamson
Culler Coded (Race 8, No 8)
