Just as a matter of interest, when I worked out the method that I currently use (and have been now for 3 years) I conducted a statistical analysis of race results over a 2 year period. I then weighted each factor as I identified it and placed them in an order of merit (My method uses 9 of these factors). All together there were 41 factors identified and barrier importance came in at number 17. The ONLY place where I even consider barriers is over the Flemington 1200.

Just on Platinum Scissors, had the jockey not gone at the 700 metre mark, it would have run second.