Trainer Cliff Brown has faced challenging barrier draws for Almairac recently but has opted to take a chance and head to Adelaide.
Almairac encountered wide barriers in Sydney last Saturday and again at Sandown on Wednesday. Now, the gelding faces gate 12 in a field of 13 acceptors for The Footbase Group Handicap (1994m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
Brown indicated that Almairac would make the journey to Adelaide from his Mornington stables, as it has been over five weeks since the gelding last competed.
That previous outing was in a Benchmark 70 race over 1800m, where Almairac secured fourth place on a Heavy 9 track rating.
Brown commented that the prospect of a slightly firmer track, currently rated a Soft 7 as of Thursday, would likely benefit the gelding.
Furthermore, Almairac will carry 55kg on Saturday in Benchmark 78 grade, a drop from the 57.5kg he was slated to carry at Sandown. Will Price is scheduled to ride.
“He’s kept drawing wide and he’s done the same on Saturday, but I’m just going to chance my arm,” Brown stated.
“That would be three times in a week that he would have missed a start because of poor barriers.”
“It’s come about because he drew 10 of 12 at Randwick, drew 11 at Sandown, and the start at Randwick can be a bit tricky, and we’ve got 12 on Saturday.”
“The heavy track probably got him last time, but he had had a bit of a gap between runs, and for the pattern of the day, he ran pretty well.”
“There has been rain in Adelaide, but it’s clearing up, and I’ve got to race him somewhere, and that seems the most logical one.”
“He’s worked very well. I’m happy with how he is, but I’d love to draw a gate.”
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