Brendan will instead drive Lucky Mum in the Trotters Cup on Saturday night.
After 12 starts in New Zealand, the exciting three-year-old filly will race for the first time in Australia, before she heads off to pursue an overseas career.
“She’s a nice filly, and is only here on a short trip – she’s here just for the carnival and then she’s heading off to America,” Barnes said.
“It looks a good race for her opening up her account here in Australia.
“She’s got brilliant gate speed, she just trots, she’ll have no trouble on a half-mile track over there and I think she’ll do a really good job.”
Al, who has over 300 career victories to his name, has battled health issues in recent times, including complications from diabetes.
A maiden Redcliffe Gold Cup win would be the perfect tonic to ease the pain for the Fernvale-based horseman.
“It’s been a rough road, probably more so the last four or five months has been a bit tough,” Barnes said.
“I’m a diabetic and have always neglected my diabetes and never really been on medication or looked after myself with it.
“I didn’t have the education for it and it’s caused a bit of trouble with my feet and my hands with the neuropathy.
“It’s something we’ve got live with now but would be great to win a race like Redcliffe and make it all worthwhile.”