SA Trots - Honson hoping to produce the winning formula

AFTER enjoying a successful interstate trip last weekend, veteran horseman Michael Honson is hoping to repeat the dose on Saturday night.

Making the long trip from Broken Hill to Port Pirie, Honson was triumphant with Village Lover, while also pleased with Brie despite her unplaced run.

With Village Lover qualifying for the Final, Honson will return to the South Australian venue with the pair in what is approximately a 10-hour round trip.

"I'd raced a few in Port Pirie during my earlier days, but it had been at least a decade since I was there," Honson said. "I made the long trip because there were no suitable options closer to home, but it was worth it.

"We left home at 11am and got back about 2:30am, so it made for a long day.

"Brie was the last to race and she was in just before 8pm, this time she is racing closer to 10, so it'll be even later by the time we get home.

"If we can get another win or two, it will make the trip home feel a lot shorter!"

To be driven by concession reinsman Declan Whelan, Village Lover has drawn to search for the front from barrier two, with the favourite, Shezamajorstar, to come from the outside of the second row over 1609 metres.

"He has drawn very well," Honson said. "He turned it on in the heat and is ready to go again.

"If he happens to find the front, they are going to have a lot of trouble running him down."

Whelan will also be in the cart behind Brie, which will begin from barrier four over a mile.

"Brie was first-up from a spell last week and had a good hit out," Honson said. "I'm expecting a better run from her as she has pulled up well and trained on as I'd like.

"They ran the first quarter in 26.9 seconds and she was three-wide, plus she got a bit nervous before the run, which doesn't normally do, so I wasn't unhappy with her run."

• PAUL COURTS