Trainer Cliff Brown has encountered a series of unfortunate barrier draws for Almairac in recent weeks and has decided to take a punt by heading to Adelaide.

Almairac drew a wide gate in Sydney last Saturday, again from an outside alley at Sandown on Wednesday, and now faces barrier 12 of 13 acceptors in The Footbase Group Handicap (1994m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

Brown confirmed 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 last start was in a Benchmark 70 race over 1800m, where Almairac finished fourth on a Heavy 9-rated track.

Brown suggested that the likelihood of a slightly firmer surface, rated a Soft 7 on Thursday, would be in the gelding’s favour.

Almairac also sees a weight advantage, dropping from 57.5kg at Sandown to 55kg on Saturday in Benchmark 78 grade, with Will Price booked 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 said.

“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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