Do you mean fail to produce a positive result or fail to produce a sufficient number of selections due to a qualifying horse (pre rule 8) would almost certainly be entitled to be favourite.....?

That being the case, the other senarios are that some of the other candidates that have not placed in their past 2 runs (maybe it should be trimmed to last start only) have had excuses and have run 4th/5th etc when checked/blocked for a run.... may result in them being favourite.

I agree on exposed form that the possible "selection" is entitled to be fav, but sometimes, this not the case as illustrated in Race 2 @ Ballarat yesterday. The favourite and subsequent winner was Satnav whose only run was 5th beaten 6 len (albeit @ Flemington), while the "selection" (11) Stings (finished second) was paying $5.2 and $1.9.

Anyway..... maybe someone might test it...... [holding breath]

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Stix
.......Giddy Up..... !!