Gallant New Zealand-bred galloper Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo) is set to line-up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont for trainer Lindsey Smith, with stablemate and fellow veteran Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) also a chance of contesting the mile feature in Perth.
A three-time Group One winner who was also placed behind Winx (Street Cry) in two editions of the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), Humidor has had just the one start for Smith after transferring from Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for whom the rising eight-year-old failed to fire.
Part-owned by his New Zealand breeders Mark and John Carter, who along with sister Rachel form Jomara Bloodstock, Humidor has won in excess of A$4 million and finished a solid 10th when resuming in the Gr.3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) a fortnight ago, beaten just 3.5 lengths.
“I thought it was pretty good, he got close to some nice sprinters over that distance,” Smith said.
“Some of his challengers in the Strickland Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) in a couple of weeks time in Material Man and Gatting both raced well too.
“I hope he’ll run top four on Saturday and that will give him a chance to win the Strickland Stakes.
“History showed, when I used to watch him, he’d always lay in, but he went pretty straight the other day. Maybe his old legs are feeling okay just trudging through the sand, so he got a pass mark the other day and I wouldn’t imagine he’ll go backwards.”
Smith indicated that Humidor would remain in Western Australia for the time being before assessing whether a Victorian campaign was on the cards after his Strickland Stakes run.
Early in his career Humidor was trained by Otaki-based conditioners Johno Benner and Hollie Wynard, where he recorded four wins from 10 starts, including the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) and finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).
