Being thrown in at the deep end could prove the key to Sno's Big Boy winning his division of the Jewels.
The 4-year-old trotter goes into his $100,000 race as one of the few in the field with open class experience, meaning tomorrow's mobile mile is effectively a drop in
class for him.
He shares that lead-up with fellow northerner Real Deal Yankee, both horses pushed into the big time earlier than their trainers would have liked because of the lack of intermediate trotting races in the north.
So when Sno's Big Boy and Real Deal Yankee take on favourite Leighton Hest, they will do so with some serious race hardness.
And Sno's Big Boy's trainer Steven Reid says that could make the difference.
"I think it helps we have been racing much of the season against really good horses," said Reid.
Both northern trotters are drawn well on the inside of the second line and should follow the early leaders.
After a last-start gallop behind the mobile, Reid welcomes the draw for Sno's Big Boy.
"I think being there he will be more relaxed and can sit just off them. He is working well and if we are following Leighton Hest we won't have any excuses."
Reid says an Addington workout on Wednesday morning has convinced him Flying Pocketlands is his best chance in the $200,000 juvenile filly division.
"I keep thinking there isn't much between her and Sixpence [stablemate] but Flying Pocketlands worked better on Wednesday morning.
"She might have a bit more class too," said Reid.
