Connections copped plenty of flack for keeping Humidor in training after the gelding seemed to be making up the numbers in three starts in Western Australia, but he was sent to Chris Waller to revive his career and in his first start for the Sydney-based maestro came from the rear of the field to claim the Group II Ladbrokes Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Reunited with Daman Lane, the 8yo gelded son of Teofilo came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the Melbourne Cup-bound Surprise Baby (Shocking) by a long-neck with Harbour Views (FR) (Le Havre) a half-head back in third and earned himself a golden ticket to the WS Cox Plate.
The triple Group 1 winner had been out of the winner’s circle since defeating Kementari in the Memsie Stakes just over two years ago.
With his sixth stakes win, Humidor advances his record to 9 wins, 7 seconds and 5 thirds from 43 starts with earnings of $4,179,315.
Bred and part-owned by Jomara Bloodstock, Humidor is out of winning Zabeel mare Zalika, who is the dam of four winners from six foals to race and a half-sister to Stakes winner Heart Of The Desert.
Her winning daughter Marechal (General Nediym) is the dm of the dam of the Listed El Roca Sprint winner Cyber Attack (Shamexpress).
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.
The final foal of Zalika is a yearling colt by American Pharoah (USA).
