Peter Snowden has elected to split his talented three-year-olds this weekend, sending Grand Prairie to the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill rather than taking on stablemate Raging Force in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m).

Snowden reasoned that Raging Force would have the edge at 1100m, while Grand Prairie is better suited stretching out in trip. He has also made a gear change, removing the winkers in a bid to help the colt relax and finish off strongly.

“He is a very laidback horse, very lazy in his work. That’s why I added winkers to his gear and that really does spark him up,” Snowden said.

“I’ve taken them off him on Saturday because if he can settle in the race like he does in his work at home he will be a great chance.”

Grand Prairie resumed with a Kensington win in July and has since filled the placings twice in Saturday grade, most recently chasing home Skyhook in the Listed Rosebud (1100m).

With the Golden Rose (1400m) looming, Snowden views Saturday as the right black-type test to gauge Grand Prairie’s credentials.

“He was beaten fair and square the other day and a pretty handy horse beat him but we had fitness on our side, heavy going and the other horse had 60 kilos who won,” Snowden said.

“It made me think maybe he’s not quite good enough for those really good horses.

“The horse of Gerald (Ryan’s, Skyhook) is a good horse the way he won, but you’re going to meet more of them and maybe going a bit further (in distance) will help.

“I’ve had horses similar to him and I’ve done the same thing and it has come off.”

A small field of eight has accepted for the Up And Coming, with Central Coast withdrawn after trialling on Thursday at Rosehill.

Punters wanting to back Grand Prairie in the Up And Coming Stakes can check the latest odds and offers at Australia’s best betting sites.