Well, neither race usually has a big field. There simply may not have been many good horses out there in barrier 9+.

Cox Plate
In 2002 there were only 9 runners, in 2003 only 8, and last year there were 13 runners, but none of the outside 5 runners were really considered a great winning chance (their starting prices were 16, 30, 30, 40, 150) By the way, in 2001 there were only 8 runners and in 2000 the outside barrier 13 won. That was some little nag called Sunline.

AAMI Vase
In 2002 there were only 7 runners, in 2003 only 9 runners, and last year there were 11 runners. Barriers 10 & 11 finished 4th and 5th while barrier 9 finished 9th but it was a 100-1 shot. In 2000 & 2001 there were only 8 & 6 runners respectively.