When it comes to stakes race credentials, Big Buddie doesn't exactly fit the stereotype.

Nor does his trainer Andrew Sawden.

But it won't stop the pair chasing a maiden black type victory in Saturday's Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

By moderately performed sire Lago Delight out of a mare who was placed just twice in the bush, Big Buddie is just that - big.

And he is still figuring out how to use his assets.

"He's a colossus of a horse to look at. He's just huge," Sawden said.

"His legs still go everywhere. He's like a bit of machinery to get going."

Along with training, Sawden also holds down a full-time job managing a property of brood mares and foals.

"I work all day, running around trimming feet in between trying to get winners," he said.

"I'm not your average trainer."

Big Buddie is the hope of Sawden's small team.

Since defeating subsequent Listed winner Honey Flower at Mornington in October, he has twice finished second in town and was a solid fifth to Mid Summer Music in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes.

Last start he got back to last in the bumper 16-horse Standish Handicap field and worked home for seventh.

Sawden is effusive in his affection for the four-year-old and says his best is still to come.

"He's a ripper. As a three-year-old I took him to races like the Manfred and the Hayes, dreaming of an Australian Guineas, but he was never mature enough," Sawden said.

"He still hasn't really worked out his own racing pattern. He's such a baby in himself.

"He's not an easy horse to ride. He's a good galloper that just needs a few things to go his way."

Big Buddie has barrier 10 on Saturday which the trainer believes will suit his charge.

But he is more concerned about Big Buddie's barrier manners than his barrier number.

"He's a bit in-and-out. Sometimes he can fly the gates and sometimes he can be a bit hesitant," he said.

"I've had a lot of trouble with him, with his barrier manners.

"He gets a bit hot and a bit fizzy."

Early TAB markets have British General the dominant $2.90 favourite for the Manifold.

Big Buddie is at $13 and Sawden is approaching the race optimistically.

"I always go in with confidence levels high. You fall down a lot but you get back up," he said.

"He's got to be on his best manners. He's only a young horse and he tends to get a bit lost.

"When it comes together I just think he will be a superstar."