Trainer David Payne is hoping a long-range plan will come to fruition at Randwick on Saturday when Honorius contests the Listed Fernhill Handicap.
Payne won the race in 2006 with Gallant Tess and finished second with Cocky Raider 12 months ago and believes Honorius is well credentialled for this year’s renewal.
The youngster is yet to be placed in four starts but each of his runs have had merit, including his last-start fifth to Flying Snitzel in the Schweppervescence (1400m) on Golden Slipper day.
Payne says the rise to 1600m on Saturday will be ideal.
“We’ve been targeting this race for a while,” Payne said.
“He’s spot-on. He is a half-brother to a champion filly in South Africa, Igugu, and she’s won up to 2000 metres.
“The step up to 1600 metres should suit him.”
The Fernhill Handicap might not be one of the major races over the Sydney carnival but it has a rich history.
It has been won by the likes of Gunsynd (1970), Marceau (1977), Handy Proverb (1985), Beau Zam (1987), Merimbula Bay (1988), Kinjite (1991) and Danewin in 1994.
Honorius will be one of 11 runners on Saturday and he has drawn well in barrier six.
He also has some exposed wet track form having finished fifth to Ashokan in the Group Three Skyline Stakes (1200m) on a slow track at Randwick last month.
“It didn’t worry him that day,” Payne said.
Payne also paid up for filly Anytime Baby in the other two-year-old race on the program, the Listed Keith Mackay Quality (1200m), but said she was unlikely to run due to the rain-affected ground.
Randwick was rated in the heavy range on Wednesday.
