Trainer Archie Alexander is hoping to make use of the dry autumn tracks in Melbourne with Barade who kicks off another campaign at Caulfield.

The French-bred seven-year-old lines up in the Manhari Metals Plate (1600m) on Saturday with Alexander expecting a forward showing without being overly confident.

Alexander said Barade had an aversion to soft ground and would have liked the gelding to have been racing prior to Saturday but for a minor setback.

“We want to get him racing before the wet tracks come into play as he doesn’t go on those,” Alexander said.

“He had a bit of a setback, so we had to give him a bit of time off, but he seems in good form, and he’s run well before over a mile fresh at Caulfield.

“But it looks a funny race. There’s a lot of good horses, but a lot of them are first-up, in the same boat as Barade, stayers resuming.

“Hopefully he runs well, and we can have a good prep with him.”

With Barade’s best form at 2000m and beyond, Alexander does not have anything programmed for the gelding beyond Saturday.

But Alexander said the Warrnambool Cup next month was unlikely to be on Barade’s agenda.

“Warrnambool is unlikely to suit him,” Alexander said.

“Everyone says it might not be wet, but it is invariably wet every year, so he won’t be going to Warrnambool, unless it’s a freakishly good week, but it is hard to find races at this time of year.

“Flemington is likely to suit him best, it’s a quick draining track.

“He’ll be a nice, handy winter horse, if we can find the right race with the right track conditions.”