Jockey's plan to eyeball Winx

Ben Dorries - Thursday October 5

Damian Lane envisages Humidor will be eyeballing Winx for much of the Turnbull Stakes but doubts he can stun the racing world by ending the mare's famous 20-race winning streak.

Advertisement
Humidor's jockey Damian Lane reckons his mount will be eyeballing Winx for much of the Turnbull Stakes ... but doubts he can break the mare's famous winning streak

Lane certainly thinks Humidor can keep the world's best racehorse honest in the Group I 2000m contest at Flemington on Saturday.

And Humidor's jockey says it's not like he will be ambushed in the run as he will know exactly where the mighty mare is.

"I am picturing in my mind, the way the race will be run, that Humidor will probably be alongside Winx or maybe just behind her in the run," Lane said.

"I should have a really good view of where Winx is, so that will be good.

"But I am just going to ride like it is any other race and ride Humidor like he needs to be ridden.

"I will ride him to run well, switching him off for one run, and we will see if he can beat Winx or not.

"If Winx runs to her best, we probably can't beat her, unless she has some really bad luck.

"But if Humidor runs to his best, all parties will be happy with that."

Winx is $1.18 to continue her winning steak on Saturday while Humidor ($4.80) looks the most formidable rival the mare has had to contend with for a while.

Despite Humidor blitzing the Group I Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) field by 3-1/4 lengths last start, trainer Darren Weir has all but conceded the Turnbull Stakes to Winx.

The Caulfield Cup on October 21 is Humidor's main target but there could yet be a surprise with Lane indicating he has told connections the Melbourne Cup may not be beyond Humidor.

"In the autumn when Humidor ran in Sydney (second in the Group I BMW beaten 6-1/2 lengths behind Jameka) I got off and told connections that he wouldn't run a Melbourne Cup trip," Lane said.

"But now he is so much more of a relaxed horse and he is doing things better I really do think he could potentially run the Melbourne Cup trip.

"He had always threatened to put in the sort of performance that he did in the Makybe Diva Stakes and I was so glad to see him come out and do it."

Humidor's Makybe Diva Stakes triumph was Lane's seventh career Group I victory and came not much more than an hour after the jockey escaped injury in a bad fall on Limestone.

Humidor was a talented but wayward galloper earlier in his career but Lane has put in many hours with the former Kiwi at trackwork to help with the gelding's rejuvenation.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.