Humidor
Race Images Palmerston North
Humidor's talent has never been in question, but his manners were before an improvement at Awapuni enabled him to put away his age group rivals.
The three-year-old ran straight and true to claim top honours in the Gr.3 Higgins Manawatu Classic on Saturday, much to the relief of his trainers Johno Benner and Holly Wynyard.
"He's been frustrating because he's always showed us plenty of ability," Benner said.
Humidor won his maiden over a mile at Wanganui in January and then finished runner-up at Te Rapa, where a wayward path in the straight cost him the race, before he was given his chance in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby.
He was unplaced after an awkward beginning and hung throughout the race before making some late ground.
"He didn't have the right Derby preparation, but it was a $750,000 race so we thought we would have a go," Benner said.
They have since worked hard on getting Humidor to race more kindly and their efforts were rewarded at Awapuni where he gave Mark Du Plessis a much easier ride.
They stalked the leader Maritimo and Du Plessis saved lengths by sticking to the fence into the straight when the field fanned wide.
"We decided to be positive and put him right in it – we thought we had the best stayer in the race," Benner said. "We didn't think the track would be a problem either."
Humidor held a strong gallop in the run home to beat Five To Midnight and the longshot Zbeauty.
The result was a welcome one for Benner and Wynyard, who recently lost the services of their stable star Vespa.
The Group One winner was laid low last spring with a serious lung complaint and following his two most recent below par performances the decision was made to retire the four-year-old to stud. – NZ Racing Desk.
The three-year-old ran straight and true to claim top honours in the Gr.3 Higgins Manawatu Classic on Saturday, much to the relief of his trainers Johno Benner and Holly Wynyard.
"He's been frustrating because he's always showed us plenty of ability," Benner said.
Humidor won his maiden over a mile at Wanganui in January and then finished runner-up at Te Rapa, where a wayward path in the straight cost him the race, before he was given his chance in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby.
He was unplaced after an awkward beginning and hung throughout the race before making some late ground.
"He didn't have the right Derby preparation, but it was a $750,000 race so we thought we would have a go," Benner said.
They have since worked hard on getting Humidor to race more kindly and their efforts were rewarded at Awapuni where he gave Mark Du Plessis a much easier ride.
They stalked the leader Maritimo and Du Plessis saved lengths by sticking to the fence into the straight when the field fanned wide.
"We decided to be positive and put him right in it – we thought we had the best stayer in the race," Benner said. "We didn't think the track would be a problem either."
Humidor held a strong gallop in the run home to beat Five To Midnight and the longshot Zbeauty.
The result was a welcome one for Benner and Wynyard, who recently lost the services of their stable star Vespa.
The Group One winner was laid low last spring with a serious lung complaint and following his two most recent below par performances the decision was made to retire the four-year-old to stud. – NZ Racing Desk.