Riversdale trainer Tony Stratford has the 4yr-old engaged in the c3-c6 pace at Gore on Saturday as the next step on the path to the $50,000 PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales Pace on November 2.
The son of Art Major was excellent winning his fresh-up race at Oamaru last month, and Saturday's race lined up ideally with Stratford's schedule.
''We've always targeted this race then more than likely a trial a week before Kaikoura,'' Stratford said.
''We'll get through Saturday then look at heading up the road a week before to have a trial at Rangiora.''
Pulp Fiction is likely to start off 20m in the 2400m stand-start pace at the Kaikoura Trotting Club's annual meeting.
''They always rip around that track pretty quick, which will suit him. He can get on the job if they ease up a bit, so the harder they go the better, really.''
While Kaikoura is the main focus for the next month, a workout win over Degas and stablemate Bonnie's Khaleesi at Winton on Friday indicated the entire is fit enough for Saturday's assignment.
''I hobbled him this morning and he worked as good as he ever has. We're heading in the right direction.''
Pulp Fiction is the poster boy, but Stratford has forgiven Bobbins fairly quickly for her hot-headed behaviour at Addington on September 25.
She pulled hard for driver Dexter Dunn in her preliminaries and during the race, fading to finish 10th after leading.
''It's just a shame, really - it's always on the cards with her,'' he said.
''She's going to beat herself or win the race and she basically just beat herself roaring around in the warm-up. Dexter had a hell of a job and couldn't hang on to her, basically.
''It's not new - she can do that at home, even. She can just get out on the track and she's off.''
The Monarchy 4yr-old was on her best behaviour yesterday morning and Stratford is hoping for a big improvement in the c1 to c3 trot on Saturday.
''I worked her today and worked her later last week and she worked as good as she ever worked and hasn't done anything silly by any means.
''Hopefully, she turns up on the day, and if she does, it's a very winnable race.''
Stratford expects a bold run from Envious in her 3yr-old debut (race 4), especially after a workout win last Friday.
The daughter of Changeover won on debut as a 2yr-old but, due to the juvenile concessions, she returns as a maiden. The race-hardened Seduce Me looks to be the major threat.
Bonnie's Khaleesi's third to Pulp Fiction at the workouts gives Stratford some confidence in race 8.
''Ability-wise, she would be one or two in the field, but it's just whether she's forward enough.''
Stratford rates Mach Of The Man (race 10) as the best of his other three runners if the 5yr-old has some luck in the running.
