Because they are usually higher weighted than the Australian horses purely because our handicappers generally think they're better than those racing here. Apart from horses which have won races which exempted them, the order of entry is based on weight compared to weight for age. This means that often horses which you think are very well weighted, are actually TOO well weighted in that it means they struggle to get into the field.

I'm pretty sure Confectioner will be put into the field. It would be a joke if it wasn't. The last time it happened, it was the English stayer Taufan's Melody which went on to win the cup at huge odds. It would be a huge double standard if they used their powers to include an English horse, but didn't do the same here with Confectioner.