If this venerable one had intended to say that this venerable one was a better choice, this venerable one would have said it.

[that she was not his first choice or who he'd recommend did not mean he wanted that kind of responsibility. The warrior cat was difficult it enough to attempt to train. He certainly didn't need a baby dragon being the kind of handful baby dragons were.]

That said...

However, this venerable one has experience with dragons.

[a dragon, anyway]