3 minute read

Rising staying star Humidor has moved an effortless step closer to a Group One date in the closing leg of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown series.

The talented four-year-old’s odds for the Livamol Classic on October 1 were slashed to $9 following his sublime performance to triumph in the Reliable Man Rating 75 Mile at Hastings on Saturday.

“That looks a really attractive race for him and we’re sure he can compete at that level,” said Johno Benner, who trains the Teofilo gelding with his partner Hollie Wynyard.

“We’ll get him home and have a chat to the owners and work out the safest way to get him there.”

Humidor, who won the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic last season, recently resumed with a third placing at Te Rapa and he was confidently expected to trump his rivals at Hastings.

“The 1600 metres is well short of his best and he’s still learning his craft, but we know he’s very, very good,” Benner said.

Ridden by Mark Du Plessis, Humidor jumped well to sit in the trail and he put his rivals to the sword on straightening.

“We expected him to do that in this class,” Du Plessis said. “He’s a horse who still doesn’t know how good he is.

“He likes the rail, it gives him a lot of confidence and he can probably lose the aide winkers now he’s relaxing better. I’ve always liked him.”

Humidor took control of the race at the top of the straight and under Du Plessis’ urgings he powered clear for a commanding victory at the expense of Cristal.