BRISBANE Jan 17 AAP - Toowoomba trainer Paul Nolan is hoping big race plans for promising stayer Secret Garden go smoother than the final stages of his recent holiday in the United States.

Nolan, who mixes training with work as a tax accountant, was in New York when Secret Garden won her last start at Doomben three weeks ago.

However, he is lucky to be back in time to saddle up Secret Garden at Doomben in the Hidden Dragon Hcp (2100m) on Saturday.

"America had a once in a 50 years weather experience and we were snow bound in New York. Our flight out was cancelled and it looked like we would be sleeping at the airport for a few days," he said.

"But we managed to get on standby and got one of the first flights out.

"I am sure that was only because people booked on that flight couldn't reach the airport," he said.

Nolan, who got home last Sunday, said it was hard to imagine just how cold it had been.

"In Chicago it was colder than the south pole, Niagara Falls froze over and there were snow owls flying around Florida," he said.

Nolan is hoping for rain not snow on Saturday for Secret Garden who is a noted wet tracker.

"I was glad she won on a dry track while I was away to stop the theory she is just a mud horse, but there is no doubt a bit of rain would help her with the 57.5 kgs on Saturday," he said.

Nolan has elected to stick with a senior rider Tim Bell on Secret Garden rather than claim, believing staying races are for senior riders.

Nolan hopes to build up Secret Garden's prizemoney and rating so she can get into the better races during the winter.

He pointed out the mare had raced well in the secondary Cups last winter without any luck.

"She went around the outside fence in last year's Ipswich Cup and still finished close up. That is the type of race we think she can win this year," he added.