Primed for major target

FRESH from yesterday's Cup success, handy mare Honeybun will be kept ticking along in preparation for Saturday's major target.

Triumphant in the Kapunda Pacing Cup, Honeybun has been nominated for Strathalbyn's flagship event by co-trainers Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson.

Thanks to the progressive club's planning, the Strathalbyn Pacing Cup is one of South Australia's richest features at $20,000.

"We've entered her for the Strathalbyn Cup, so we will see whether or not she gets a start in that on Saturday night," Neilson said. "I'd say she will.

"So we will keep her ticking along as usual to have her ready for that.

"Then she has the Port Pirie Cup the following week, so hopefully she gets the kind of fortune she had yesterday."

Driven by Bernadette Page, Honeybun was beaten for early speed to be two-back along the pegs from the pole as Hezrockinroyalty led from gate five.

Desperate for an opening along the back straight, the daughter of Always B Miki was brilliantly weaved through traffic to be four-wide around the final bend.

Unleashing a strong sprint, Honeybun reached the front in the final stride to score by a half-head from Springfield Affair.

In a 'blanket' finish, Lord Zarias was a neck away third in 1:58.7 over 2610 metres.

"I thought she would be behind the leader from the draw, so I wasn't sure how things would turn out for her when she was two-back," Neilson said. "When she got the split I thought 'I reckon she could run a place', but she finished it off so well

"It was a combination of a good draw, great drive from Bernadette and luck...when you get those three you're doing well and that's how it turned out.

"Now we just have to hope for the same three over the next couple of weeks!"