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It may not be the race on everyone’s lips but the Alwin Tan-trained Schneider will make a little bit of history when he heads to the start for the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1200m on Saturday.

On Monday, it was made known that unrated imports would obtain an official rating from the Singapore Turf Club's Handicapping department once they have completed two races instead of three in the past.

Schneider  – a US-bred three-year-old colt by Mr Speaker – was one of 14 horses to receive a rating under the new conditions. Tan jumped at the chance to try his luck with the maiden against Class 5 opposition, making Schneider the first among them to race in open company.

A third place on debut in an Open Maiden race over 1200m (February 4) coupled with a fifth in a similar affair on March 18 gave Schneider a rating of 47 (with his age also a factor), but more importantly, gave Tan options at just his third start.

Tan welcomed the new rule and thought that it was good for the industry – especially for owners.

"I believe it's a good idea," said Tan on Thursday.

"We are only racing once a week so this new condition gives owners the chance to get their horses more quickly into Class 5 or Class 4 races and more racing opportunities.

"Two runs gives us a good indication of where a horse is at and more choices is good for everyone.

"Take Schneider for example. We could have raced him in either of the maiden races ($75,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m on turf or the $20,000 Open Maiden over 1000m on the Polytrack) on Saturday but this Class 5 race looks much better for him.

"And it's $10,000 more in prizemoney compared to the Open Maiden (race) and we are up against some horses on very low ratings, so I think it is the smarter option."

Tan is confident of a good showing on Saturday, but also cautious given Schneider has been handicapped at 58.5kgs (but he will eventually carry 57.5kgs with jockey Koh Teck Huat's one-kilo claim) and that weight could be cause for concern.

"Yes, I was concerned with the weight because Benbo (also a US-bred three-year-old) struggled (finished eighth) when he carried weight (59kgs) at his run in Class 5 (on March 18)," said the former Air Force regular who began training at Kranji in 2009.

"But he (Schneider) gets that weight because he should be one of the better horses in this race. His placing on debut was good and he was checked last start.

"He has no early speed, so we will try and sit midfield and hope he is more alert this time in and can do his best work late. That would be good."

Schneider is one of nine American-bred three-year-olds Tan trains for the JHI Stable and with three winners – Blue Jay, Benbo and Ahone – thus far, the American experiment has already been a success.

"(Owners) Mr Chee (I Ming) and Mr Richard (Poh) are very supportive," explained the 2016 Singapore champion trainer.

"Mr Chee had business dealings in the United States so I proposed to them to buy some US-bred horses and we started looking online.

"We did our homework. I picked some, they picked some and we got nine. So far, we have three winners from the seven that have started, so that's a very good result.

"Hayato debuts on Saturday in the ($75,000) Restricted Maiden (race over 1200m) and he is better than what he showed at the trial (ran fourth to February in trial no. 1 on March 14).

"He's green – he got lost at his trial – but he has ability so I wouldn't discount him."

Tan has also entered three of his "Team USA" youngsters – Blue Jay, Benbo and Schneider - for the $110,000 Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on April 8, and also nominated the New Zealand-bred Cash Cove as well.

"Cash Cove is the most highly-rated among my three-year-olds but his turf form is a worry," he said.

"So a horse like Blue Jay who has won on the turf (in a Restricted Maiden race over 1400m on February 12) and gets a three-kilo allowance for being a Northern Hemisphere three-year-old looks well-suited in the 3YO Sprint."

While the 3YO Sprint is the first Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge series, the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) will run exactly three weeks later, and the final Leg, the Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1600m) will be held on May 20, in tandem with the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m).