The much-publicised Cox Plate barrier draw for More Joyous ultimately played against her chances when the glamour mare endured the hardest run of all in the weight-for-age race.

More Joyous, one of three runners for trainer Gai Waterhouse, found herself posted deep for the entire 2040m and finished 11th.

At Tuesday's barrier draw when Waterhouse had the pick of any of the 14 barriers for More Joyous, she stunned most, including owner John Singleton, when selecting 11.

"The mare (More Joyous) ran a nice race. She was sort of caught wide and in a bit of a no-man's land," Waterhouse said when dissecting each of her runner's performances.

"They didn't run how I would love them too which was first, second and third but that's life, isn't it?" Waterhouse said.

"Ethiopia going up front with Proisir probably didn't do any of my horses chances any favours but all's fair in love and war.

"I think Proisir probably felt that he was being attacked the whole time and he capitulated but hung on for a long time.

"I thought Pierro ran a gallant race and has come to the end of his preparation."

Pierro came in third behind Ocean Park and All Too Hard while Proisir was eighth.

Waterhouse said all three of her Cox Plate runners would head to the paddock.