Having watched Humidor get trounced by Winx in the Turnbull Stakes, trainer Darren Weir will test the horse in blinkers at trackwork before deciding if he wears them in the $3 million Caulfield Cup.
Humidor won the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes the start before Saturday’s Turnbull but he was no match for Winx who streeted her rivals by 6-1/2 lengths with one of Humidor’s Cup rivals Ventura Storm running second.
Humidor, who started the $7.50 second favourite to Winx, was another three-quarters of a length third and hung in under pressure from the top of the straight.
“My first thought was disappointing,” Weir said.
“He followed Winx into the race. Winx left them all but he started to lay in.
“We thought we had all those things ironed out at home. He paraded beautifully so there was absolutely no excuse. He ran well below par so I think it’s time for a gear change now.”
Humidor in blinkers in training before the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21.
“We’ll give him a couple of gallops between now and Caulfield in the blinkers and decide whether we go with them, but he needs to come up a notch now,” Weir said.
“So we’ll have to do something.”
Humidor is out to $8 from $6 in the Caulfield Cup after Saturday with star New Zealand mare Bonneval the $4.60 favourite.
Humidor’s stablemate Amelie’s Star moved to $6 second favouritism after her win in Saturday’s The Bart Cummings (2500m).
Import Ventura Storm firmed to $9 after his Turnbull performance.