Trainer David Payne is confident that Honorius will take a successful step towards his bigger spring targets when he runs at Warwick Farm Racecourse this weekend.

Honorius will run in the Listed Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap, where he will make his spring debut.

The Holy Roman Emperor colt won his final two tarts of the autumn, claiming victory in the $70,000 Calmsley Hill City Farm Plate at Rosehill Racecourse by three lengths in his most recent run.

Payne does not feel the 1,400 metre distance in tomorrow’s race will best benefit the colt, and expects him to be at his best over 2,000 metres and beyond.

“Once he gets to 2000 metres, that’s when you’ll see the best of him,” Payne said.

“The 1400 metres and Warwick Farm are not really suitable but he’ll run well.”

Honorius’ main aim for the spring racing carnival is the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, which is due to run at Randwick on October 6.

The three-year-old is currently at $26 to take out the $400,000 race, which was won in spectacular fashion by Sepoy last year.

Payne is confident that Honorius, as well as his talented stable mate Laser Flash, are top chances of taking out the event in 2012.

They will have to contend with the likes of Kabayan and New Zealand galloper It’s A Dundeel in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Other prospective competitors Toydini, Tatra, and Limes, will face off against Honorius in tomorrow’s Ming Dynasty.

“The Ming Dynasty is not his mission, he’s going for the Gloaming Stakes and the Spring Champion,” Payne said.

“This is a nice race to start him off in.

“He’s a nice staying horse and he’ll be competitive in the longer races.”

Honorius has won two of his seven race starts and has earned more than $70,000 in prize money during his short horse racing career.