Search Squad has no luck finding good draw

Thursday 8 May 2014, 3:16pm

Trainer Doug Harrison's frustration with wide barrier draws has continued with Search Squad allocated another difficult gate for Saturday's Flemington assignment.

Since he won his maiden at Bairnsdale in March from barrier two, Search Squad has started from gates 14, 10, 16 and nine in four subsequent runs.

He again faces a tough task at Flemington where he has drawn barrier 17 for the Secondbite Fresh Food Rescue Handicap.

Harrison expressed frustration at the three-year-old's tough sequence of draws, especially given his belief that the gelding was in prime condition for his first attempt at 1400m.

"They must just put him in the outside stall and work the others in around him," Harrison said.

"It's a shame because he's worked really well since his win at Sandown."

The poor draw prompted bookmakers to assess Search Squad as a $13 chance for Saturday's contest while the Mark Kavanagh-trained Kingdom Of Dreams heads the market at $5.

A forecast for rain has provided Harrison with some small consolation as the trainer has no concerns about Search Squad handling wet ground despite an unplaced run at his only outing on a slow track.

"I think he'll handle a wet track and most of the Falkirks do handle that sort of ground," Harrison said.

"I thought the 1400 (metres) would be ideal for him as well."

Harrison is likely to spell Search Squad after Saturday's race to give him time to mature.

Ibrahim Gundogdu will continue his partnership with the horse at Flemington.

– AAP

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