Teofilo's outstanding son Humidor completed a 5-timer for champion trainer Darren Weir at Caulfield when he came with a weaving run to claim the $1 million Group 1 NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m).
Settled well back in the field by Damian Lane, Humidor made up many lengths by sticking to the rail coming arou7nd the home turn but5 needed all of Lane's skills to avoid running into a dead-end by tiring runners.
While 6yo gelding was taking all the shortcuts, Kementari endured a more torrid run out wide before going down by a short-head with the winner's stablemate Kings Will Dream (IRE) coming from last to oust the favourite Vega Magic for third. (photo Grant Courtney).
Winner of the Group 1 VRC Australian Cup and Group 1 VRC Makybe Diva Stakes, Humidor advances his record to 7 7 2 from 24 stats with earnings of $2,604,415
It was the third win at the highest level for Humidor who stretched the neck of Winx in last year's Cox Plate. But the affable trainer does not seem overly keen to take on the champion again this year.
"He's a great horse, he's been a beauty for a long time," Weir said.
"I said to Damian be strong late because he will be strong late.
"I think he will have his next start in the Makybe Diva. I think the key to Humidor is that he is doing things better. Last year he would have put his head on the side and make it ugly. His two runs in this time he has done everything right as you need to in these sought of races. He's still got his quirks at home and in the mounting yard, but he is racing a lot better.
"I think his goal is the Emirates, the race Tosen Stardom won last year, I think that's a great race for him, 2000 metres at Flemington, and dodge Winx."
Bred by Jomara Bloodstock, Humidor is out of winning Zabeel mare Zalika, who is the dam of four winners from five foals to race and a half-sister to Stakes winner Heart Of The Desert.
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.
Zalika has a 2yo colt foal by Makfi, which failed to make his $250,000 reserve at Karaka, and yearling filly by Shooting To Win.
She was covered by Tavistock last spring.
