Humidor progressing nicely for Memsie bid

Jockey Damian Lane (l) and trainer Ciaron Maher are happy with Humidor after his latest trial.

Humidor has shown no effects of a leg injury that ruled him out of the autumn with a trial victory at Cranbourne.

Now in the hands of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Humidor has not raced since finishing third to Winx in last year’s Cox Plate during which he suffered a leg injury.

Under regular rider Damian Lane, Humidor narrowly won Monday’s trial over 990m, the second trial in his comeback bid.

Maher said Humidor was on target to resume in the Group One Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 31, a race he was successful in last year, on the way to contesting the Cox Plate in October.

“He’s made nice progression from his first jump-out and his first trial,” Maher said.

“His coat has come out and we put the visor on him today as he’s raced in the blinkers before just to help him travel through the wetter ground.

“Damian gave me a nice report. He had a nice little blow when he got back in.

“He did a little bit more on him today and with another nice gallop next week he’ll probably be right to kick off in the Memsie.”

Maher said the extended break may have ironed out a few of Humidor’s quirks, although he still wants to see the gelding under race conditions.

“Everyone has noticed in the past that he can get in a bit when he’s under a lot of pressure, but he’s been pretty straight so far, but he hasn’t been asked to do a hell of a lot,” Maher said.

“The decent break seemed to do him well as the good horses, once they get going, don’t get a lot of time off.

“He seems to have settled down really well, has a really good base on him and he’s made nice progression here today.”

Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie finished fourth behind Humidor on the heavy track in his first serious hit-out ahead of a spring campaign.

Trainer Phillip Stokes said Mr Quickie handled the ground fairly but was impressed how he finished off.

“He’ll come back in two weeks time to trial over 1200 metres and we’ll try and make it a bit more solid,” Stokes said.

“We’ll get a good guide in the Makybe Diva (at Flemington) as to how he’s going and that will shape his spring.”