The Darren Weir trained Humidor will dodge a clash a with super mare Winx in the 2018 Cox Plate despite returning to the winning stall in Group 1 $1m New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.
Humidor,above, will dodge Winx in the 2018 Cox Plate despite winning the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Humidor became Weir’s fifth winner on Memsie Stakes Day but the premiership winning trainer said a rematch with Winx was unlikely even though the six year old gelding pushed the super mare to the limit when second to her in the 2017 Cox Plate.
Instead of running in this year’s Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 27, Weir will aim Humidor towards the Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on the final day of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“I think the goal is the Emirates. I think that is a great race for him, 2000m at Flemington and dodge Winx,” Weir said.
“He is a great horse, he has been a beauty for a long time.”
“I said to Damien when I bumped him on, you be strong late because he will be strong late.”
“He got the right runs and it was a big thrill that, it was great.”
“I thought he had made the right progression.”
“I think the key to Humidor is that he is doing things better. Last year he would have put the head on the side and made it difficult. His two runs this time in he has done everything right.”
Humidor’s next run will be in the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in a fortnight.
Winning jockey Damian Lane wrapped up his fourth winner for the day with a superb ride that saw Humidor ($21) come from near last on the corner to slice in between runners close to the fence to score a nose victory over Kementari ($5) who had a tough run when caught wide most of the way.
The winner’s stablemate Kings Will Dream ($14) produced an eye catching run to find third spot a nose away while the $2.50 favourite Vega Magic was only a nose back in fourth spot.
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