That is the approach West Melton trainer Michael House is taking with harness racing's new ratings-based handicapping system.
The theory seems to be working too, as the trainer has successfully trekked several horses to Forbury Park meetings since the system was introduced in March.
The successes do not come from jumping in his horse transporter and hoping for luck, but from House's belief that the ratings system requires trainers to pinpoint the most suitable races at a wide range of venues.
''The ratings system works. It's like with like; you've just got to travel a wee bit.''
One of the main reasons he thinks the system works is that under the system discretion can be applied to the ratings from different standards of racing.
''The clear difference now between a better race and a poorer race is they are not giving as many points.''
It would seem the trainer is rather confident he has the formula working for both Cuddly Jess and Ask Me Art when they line up at Forbury Park tonight.
Simply, the pair ''should win'' if their races go to plan, he said.
Cuddly Jess charged into an unlucky fourth behind Explosive Star at Forbury Park last week.
The trotter was last of the main group on the home turn as not even superstar driver Dexter Dunn could extricate the mare from a tricky midfield spot. The pair went to the line virtually untested, although once Cuddly Jess saw clear air very late in the race, she hit the line with purpose.
Dunn was able to take a more direct approach with Ask Me Art in his last-start Forbury Park win. The pair hit the front past the 1600m marker and were never reeled in by their rivals.
Although Ask Me Art rose eight ratings points with the win, his winning case is strengthened by his facing a field in similar form to the horses he beat last week.
The Michael House and Dexter Dunn training and driving combination start the night in race 1 with maiden trotter Lord Roydon.
Punters may not be put off by his patchy formline, but House is approaching the race with caution with his talented but so far wayward charge.
''He's a silly boy. He is immensely talented but I am throwing him in light, hoping he can run a place and do everything right.''
The trainer is also taking a similar approach into tonight's next race.
Like Lord Roydon, Hannah Extreme's chances are largely dependent on what frame of mind she is in once she hits the track.
The pacer has a tendency to pull fiercely in her races, which was evident in her most recent start at Addington last month.
House, who jumps in the bike tonight as Dunn is booked to drive Captain Mannering, will be hoping his biceps do not get an extreme workout if the mare latches on to the bit again tonight.
The trainer will also drive Audi in race 7, but Dunn again wears the House colours in tonight's final event.
Van Halem faces a massive drop in class from racing Forgotten Highway, Let It Ride and Riccardo in his past three starts at Addington, to racing against claimers, tonight.
House was forced to line up against those classy types to chase Addington's Met Multiplier bonus and is confident his charge has come through those tough races in decent order.
''He's OK. He is in a race that he should be competitive in.''
-By Jonny Turner
