Godolphin starsBenbatl(Dubawi) and Blair House(Pivotal) went to war in an exciting Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, but a fast-finishing third in the A$1 million race by New Zealand-bred star Humidor(NZ) (Teofilo) secured him the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Caulfield WFA Championship title.
Humidor headed into Saturday's final leg of the Series with 17 points to his name, having won the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), along with a third placing in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m). A top-four finish was all he needed with the title, withHomesman(War Front) andTosen Basil(Harbinger) his only potential threats with 10 and 8 points respectively.
The Caulfield Stakes drew an exceptional weight-for-age field and promised to be a memorable contest, and it did not disappoint.
After racing in midfield for most of the journey, Benbatl and Blair House strode to the lead together soon after straightening for home. They fought an epic battle through the last 200 metres, which Benbatl ultimately won by a head. He was ridden to victory by Pat Cosgrave.
Humidor ran home strongly from a long way back to run third, two and a quarter lengths behind the first pair.
Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Benbatl has now had 15 starts for seven wins, three placings and more than A$6 million (NZ$6.56 million) in prize-money. The Caulfield Stakes was his third Group 1 win, having previously scored in the Dubai Turf (1800m) and Grosser Dallmayr Preis (2000m).
"He ran a really huge race," Bin Suroor said on Saturday. "He finished really well, and that's given us confidence for two weeks later to run in the Cox Plate.
"That's the target for him. I've had that target for him since January when he was still in Dubai. But the superstar Winx is in the race. It's hard to beat her. She's the best of the best. But our horse is doing well. He's won three Group Ones now."
Humidor finishes the Caulfield WFA Championship with 23 points. Blair House moved up to second with 12 points, with Homesman third on 11.
