A Group One Weight For Age race ( e.g. Cox Plate ) will feature better class horses than you will see in a G1 Handicap (e.g. Melbourne Cup).

As much as we all love "The Cup", it is still only an open handicap and anything can be entered if you have the necessary folding stuff.

Max, I would suggest you try to get hold of one of Don Scott's books on the racing game.

Also the VRC publishes a monthly calendar (magazine format avail. @ newsagents) which explains the hierarchy of races.

Gerry