Humidor makes case to challenge Winx

The great mare Winx continues on her journey towards equine immortality in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington this Saturday, when she looks to notch up her twenty-first consecutive win. With only Black Caviar having more successive wins, the Australian thoroughbred sensation may meet her toughest test yet to defend her winning run.

Darren Weir, might well have been foxing when he all but dismissed the chances of his two-time Group 1 winner, Humidor, beating Winx on Saturday.

Despite the mountainous task that confronts the five-year-old gelding, there seems to be more hope for the top-weight than Weir has let on.

Here are the key form facts that make some case for Humidor.

• He is a dual group one winner - one of those wins was in this year's Australian Cup (2000m) where he beat 2016 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka.
• He made light work of beating world-class Hartnell at his latest outing, swooping from last to first to win by three and a quarter lengths on the post.
• Humidor has an impeccable record over the 2000m, winning three times and placing once from four starts.
• Flemington’s sweeping turns, and wide and lengthy straight, suits his swooping style. His two wins from three runs at the track is evidence to this claim.

Despite Humidor's impressive stat sheet, his challenge to end Winx’s run of success is steep. The super mare’s George Main (1600m) run showed all the signs that she wanted more ground. The 2000m distance is where her most convincing victories have played out.

The market has started Winx at $1.15, her longest odds this preparation. That said, she's undoubtedly one of the shortest priced starters in the 70 year history of the Turnbull Stakes.