 |
|
|
|
|
Glorious Goodwood 2013 |
| Tweet |
racing news /
Baker Hoping Humidor Can Rise to Stewards’ Cup Challenge
10/07/13
Fresh from a first Royal Ascot success, trainer George Baker is eyeing another major landmark with Humidor (9st 4lb) in the £100,000 Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday, August 3.
 |
Weights for the famous six-furlong heritage handicap are revealed today, Wednesday, July 10.
The five-year-old provided the Manton-based handler with a first victory at Goodwood in September, 2010, and is now being aimed at giving the trainer an initial victory at the five-day festival on the Sussex Downs.
Humidor posted a string of excellent efforts in Pattern company last season, finishing a close sixth in the Group Two Betfred King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, fourth in York’s Group One Nunthorpe Stakes and seventh in the Group One Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp, France.
He has made two further cross-Channel raids so far this season, most recently coming home fourth in a five-furlong Listed contest at Maisons-Laffitte on June 11, when he was hampered leaving the stalls.
Baker revealed: “The Stewards’ Cup is the target for Humidor. He is a horse who has Group quality but seems to be just below the level needed to win at that level.
“I think that you need to have a horse with proven Group form to win a Stewards’ Cup in this day and age. Humidor was fourth in the Nunthorpe, ran well in the Abbaye and loves Goodwood.
“He was knocked sideways on his latest run at Maisons-Laffitte and was only beaten two and a half lengths. Things haven’t quite panned out for him but he is due a big run.
“I have desperate to step him up back up in distance and I think that six furlongs at Goodwood could be rather exciting for him.”
Hoof It carried a record 10st to victory in 2011 and the Mick Easterby-trained sprinter heads the weights once again this year on 9st 12lb – a rating of 112.
Wokingham Stakes winner York Glory and Hamza, who are both trained by Kevin Ryan, have been allotted 9st 9lb, while Hawkeyethenoo, successful in 2012 for Jim Goldie, is set to carry 9st 8lb.
