DoC would have got a setup - and had he managed to slice his way through the pack - while unlikely, who's to say he couldn't run a mediocre number like a 102 or 103?
All the early race riding while up on a solid pace had a lot more to do with BB not running a big number than the fact that he was taken in hand through the final furlong.
It gets a little annoying when people act like that means the horse could have run several lengths faster.
I've never believed riding with restraint makes it any easier on the horse either.
Here is a clip of Milkom winning the Grade 1 Man O' War at 8/1 while under a full nelson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04BdGqmOB6w
Not only did Stevens never move on him - but he actually fought with him and had him under strong restraint for most of the race. Millkom came out of the race with a career ending injury.