Honey chases luck with Lace Monster in Million Dollar Chase

The Wagga trainer didn’t have the feature race series penciled in his plans, but with low nominations he decided to throw his hat in the ring.

Lace Monster has been consistently around the mark without breaking through for a win over the 525 metres at Wagga in her last six starts over the track and distance.

It included a third last time out where she finished behind the Peter Sims-trained Smart Desire, who lines up in box six.

After drawing the pink box again Honey knows she will need a lot of luck.

“They were short and she has to go around,” Honey said.

“There were no other 500s on so she’s in it and hopefully she gets a clear run.”

She started from the eight box last time around and Honey isn’t convinced it suits.

Especially against a couple of greyhounds who haven’t been to the track.

“It is very hard to win from the eight at Wagga, but we will she how she goes,” he said.

“She gets into all the trouble in the world, mainly because of dogs who haven’t been here and they run off when she is coming across.

“Let’s hope she can tuck in there behind them and get through on the fence. 

“She might get into some sort of position.”

While the fields may be small, Blue Sky Riot brings plenty of X-factor to the heats.

One of the most promising dogs in the country, Blue Sky Riot is coming off an injury lay-off following a heat of the Golden Easter Egg.

She was considered one of the favourites for the group one series in March before disaster struck.

Blue Sky Riot came into the Golden Easter Egg in hot form with a win in the group one National Futurity part of which also featured a win in the group two Richmond Oaks but has been off the scene since.

She’s drawn box eight in the first heat and is set to start as a short-priced favourite for Victorian trainer Kylee Osborne.

Honey is pleased he doesn’t have to line up against Blue Sky Riot, but does have to contend with its kennelmate Zipping Olympia who was a winner at The Meadows three starts back.

Honey also lines up last start winner Agroroo.

She won her first race in a year at Wagga’s last meeting.

Seasonal problems had plagued the bitch, but she hit to ground running to please the kennel.

“She bounced back over 12 months and went good,” Honey said.

However she’ll step up to the 400 metres for the first time in the John Hartley Appreciation Stakes.

She’s won five of her 10 starts, plus two seconds, over the 320 metres, but Honey is confident she will be able to get the further distance.

“She has only ever had sprints as we wanted her to go through her grades and now she’s won all of them and has to move up in distance,” he said.

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