Victoria Derby Goal for Holy Roman Emperor Colt

The very best racehorse in South Africa is Australian bred mare Igugu, whose two year-old half-brother Honorius (2c Holy Roman Emperor x Zarinia, by Intikab) confirmed his potential when scoring his second win at Rosehill on Saturday.

A two year-old son of Holy Roman Emperor, the David Payne trained Honorius broke his maiden last start at Canterbury and made it back to back metropolitan wins when powering home to win again over 1800 metres by two and three-quarter lengths.

A homebred for Kia Ora Stud, Honorius was withdrawn from the 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and is the third winner from three foals to race for Zarinia (IRE).

The decision to keep Honorius may well prove a good one with David Payne optimistic about his future.

“He’ll go straight to the paddock now up there at Kia Ora for a good spell,” said Payne.

“We’ll bring him back in the spring and head towards the Victoria Derby.”

His dam Zarinia was covered last spring by High Chaparral.

Holy Roman Emperor is not coming back to Australia this spring, but has been in the news of late as a result of his three year-old daughter Homecoming Queen, who scored a nine length win in the Group I English 1,000 Guineas.