two things. (or three)

not making excuses for lonhro.
1. his rating is based on mainly on lesser performers in sydney although his record in melbourne has been fairly good.
2. he was not ridden to great advantage regardless of track bias or not. good riders would be on the pace at the valley particularly against such good opposition.
3. i didnt think my original post was offering excuses or blaming bias of any sort. Jockeys King and Payne left nothing to chance whereas Beadman relied on his faith in his horse being too superior. this was misguided as it turned out.