Third Win at the Highest Level for Teofilo's Humidor

Mark Smith - Saturday September 1

Teofilo's outstanding son Humidor completed a 5-timer for champion trainer Darren Weir at Caulfield when he came with a weaving run to claim the $1 million Group 1 NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m).

Settled well back in the field by Damian Lane, Humidor made up many lengths by sticking to the rail coming arou7nd the home turn but5 needed all of Lane's skills to avoid running into a dead-end by tiring runners.

While 6yo gelding was taking all the shortcuts, Kementari endured a more torrid run out wide before going down by a short-head with the winner's stablemate Kings Will Dream (IRE) coming from last to oust the favourite Vega Magic for third. (photo Grant Courtney). 


Winner of the Group 1 VRC Australian Cup and Group 1 VRC Makybe Diva Stakes, Humidor advances his record to 7 7 2 from 24 stats with earnings of $2,604,415

It was the third win at the highest level for Humidor who stretched the neck of Winx in last year's Cox Plate. But the affable trainer does not seem overly keen to take on the champion again this year.

"He's a great horse, he's been a beauty for a long time," Weir said.

"I said to Damian be strong late because he will be strong late.

"I think he will have his next start in the Makybe Diva. I think the key to Humidor is that he is doing things better. Last year he would have put his head on the side and make it ugly. His two runs in this time he has done everything right as you need to in these sought of races. He's still got his quirks at home and in the mounting yard, but he is racing a lot better.

"I think his goal is the Emirates, the race Tosen Stardom won last year, I think that's a great race for him, 2000 metres at Flemington, and dodge Winx."

Bred by Jomara Bloodstock, Humidor is out of winning Zabeel mare Zalika, who is the dam of four winners from five foals to race and a half-sister to Stakes winner Heart Of The Desert.

A $400,000 yearling, Zalika is a sister in blood to Group II winner Lafleur, the dam of stakes winner Papillio and Amaryllis.

Zalika is a granddaughter of the champion Habibti a half-sister to the great broodmare Eight Carat.

Zalika has a 2yo colt foal by Makfi, which failed to make his $250,000 reserve at Karaka, and yearling filly by Shooting To Win.

She was covered by Tavistock last spring.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Teofilo's Melbourne Cup Hero Cross Counter Makes Successful Return
He won the Melbourne Cup in the style of a future topliner so it was great to see Teofilo’s son Cross Counter make a successful return to racing in Saturday night’s Dubai Gold Cup.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Exultant Draws First Blood for the Locals on International Day
The locals drew first blood in International Stakes Day at Sha Tin when the Tony Cruz-trained Exultant turned back the challenge of Japan’s Lys Gracieux (JPN) in Sunday’s Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.