Adelaide trainer Stuart Gower has elected to dodge the Ballarat Cup, instead placing emerging stayer Darknconfidential in a softer race over the same distance on Saturday.

Darknconfidential was dual-nominated but will line up in the Hertz Handicap (2000m), a benchmark 84 event, rather than the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m).

“He’s a nice horse that is only just starting to furnish into himself and I still reckon he’s another six months away,” Gower said.

“Hopefully we can be back next year for the Cup, but this year, we’ll run in the easier race.”

A five-time winner from 22 starts, Darknconfidential tackled Adelaide’s top staying races as a three-year-old and travelled interstate for the first time last start, finishing second to Regal Lion at Cranbourne.

“A fortnight ago… that was the first time he had travelled,” Gower said.

“He actually came through that really well and it has made him wake up a bit.

“The tighter track didn’t really suit him… Ballarat should suit him better and he definitely needs a dry track too.”

Darknconfidential will race Saturday before a short break ahead of an autumn campaign.

Gower said the Adelaide Cup (3200m) is a possible long-term target, though no set path has been locked in.

“He’s pretty relaxed, and sticks on well, but whether he would get the two miles, I don’t know,” he said.

“We’ll get through Saturday first… worst-case scenario there might end up being some nice country Cups for him.”