Perhaps that's a desirable factor - it generally makes for great betting races. On this occasion, it certainly does.
Some say barrier draws have little influence in 3200m races. Nonsense, this column believes they are almost more important at the extreme distance than any other because energy has to be conserved.
So explain why we are tipping Rock Diva from barrier No 17? It's that sort of race.
Mark Du Plessis is going to be required to weave some early magic to get Rock Diva the right run to get her into a position that will allow her to relax, because she is our tip for the way she has finished off her recent races at distances significantly less than today's 3200m.
However, like every other runner, luck will be the determining factor.
Being down on the 52kg minimum weight is a luxury for a mare of Rock Diva's class. She ran to the finish strongly into third in the Avondale Cup last start and as a rock-hard fit mare should be ready for her first look at 3200m.
As much as there might be an "against" for many runners, there is a balancing "for" for most of them.
Benzini could not have been more impressive in winning the Nathans on Saturday, covering ground and sprinting quickly when it mattered late in the race.
Can he do that at his first attempt at 3200m? If he does he's the horse to beat, and you have to say a number of these probably could also have won the Nathans.
Benzini is an impressive stayer at the top of his form though and has a touch of class advantage on a few in the race.
And the for-and-against really kicks in for the next 12 runners. One who appears to have been totally ignored, certainly in TAB betting, is the southern mare She's Insatiable, yesterday at $31.
She has always been slightly under-rated and, unlike a few here, has 3200m form.
More than anything she had a look around Ellerslie in the Avondale Cup and didn't really have a chance to wind up. Over the 3200m this time and with Chris Johnson aboard it could well be a different story.
She's Insatiable can produce a devastating final 400m sprint when circumstances permit and if she does that she could swamp this field at mammoth odds.
Pondarosa Miss is the enigma. She has had her share of setbacks, first the almost life-threatening fall at Hastings then more recently a virus.
Her Avondale Cup seventh was not heart-racing stuff, but neither was it stunningly disappointing.
The stable have always rated her a 3200m horse and if that is true her class entitles her to serious consideration.
Did we mention for-and-against?
Surpass is one of the high-class acts, but has 59kg topweight. That is a lot of weight to carry over 3200m, where weight becomes its greatest issue.
That does not count him out of the race, but it will be a hugely courageous effort if he wins.
Blizzard's best performances have been when he has been on the speed and fought hard, so perhaps his get-back Avondale Cup run was a better trial for this than many think.
He made nice ground late that day and he deserves significant respect.
So, perhaps, does King Kamada, Show The World and Graphic. Possibly Duquesa. Show The World needed to finish off the Avondale Cup a fraction better and trainer Lisa Latta is unsure King Kamada will run out the 3200m.
For and against. Great betting race.
Punting pointers
Distance: Atacama (R8): Goes well fresh and has won three of her four 1400m races.
Continuing on the way up: Allez Eagle (R4): Drawn the right
barrier to make it four straight wins. Fights really hard.
Over The Odds: She's Insatiable (R9): Southern mare who seems to have been totally overlooked. Has a smashing final sprint when right and not out of the Auckland Cup at $31.
