Even without his stable's winter star, Steven Reid is the trainer to follow at Alexandra Park tonight.
Reid has been forced to scratch Franco Tetris from race two, in which he would have been chasing his fifth win on end.
The much-improved 3-year-old pacer damaged a hoof afterlosing a shoe in track work recently and won't race again this season.
"It is nothing serious but enough for us to ease up on him for a few weeks," said Reid. "But the way he has improved so much this campaign he looks worth waiting for."
Reid is racing a far bigger than usual winter team and has winning chances in four races tonight as he strives to make the most of the handicapping concessions for young horses or those in junior driver's races.
One of those is the talented Sno's Big Boy, who will be partnered by stable junior driver Simon McMullen in race three.
He galloped when about to mount his run last start but has looked an open class trotter in the making at times this season.
"I think he would be our best tonight because he is a very good horse and I am happy with how he is working."
Reid has talented juveniles Italian Stallion and Shamrock Shella - both last start winners - in race four, but says punters should tread carefully.
"We don't tend to overdrive our 2-year-olds because we believe in looking after them so they might struggle to beat a horse like Ohoka Samson, even though they are both smart horses."
Sailors Sin and We Shall See give him another dual attack in race seven, the third leg of tonight's $150,000 Pick6.
"They would both be hopes, as will Mo Cullen in race eight.
"I was actually going to turn her out this week because she is a bit weak and still at least six months away from fulfilling her potential.
"But the weather was so bad I decided to keep her going and she could win."
Reid also has a sneaky for Herald punters in the last on the card, in Sean Phillip, which is trained on his property by stable foreman Tom Cowan.
"We have been swimming him and he has improved and I think he would be an each way chance."
