Report: Doncaster, Wednesday
Scarbrough Stakes (Listed) 5f, 2yo+
HUMIDOR took advantage of a stumble at the start by 11-4 favourite Medicean Man to land this Listed prize for trainer George Baker and jockey Frankie Dettori.
The 14-1 shot scored by half a length from Dinkum Diamond (5-1) with Medicean Man, finishing fast but too late, another length back in third.
The start was pivotal to the outcome, with Medicean Man stumbling badly shortly after leaving the stalls and dropping to the rear of the 11-runner field.
Humidor was dropped out in the early stages but, crucially, Dettori was able to choose his moment to strike. Once he launched his challenge in the centre, he had first run on the favourite and Humidor kept on strongly to score a shade comfortably.
“It all fell right and there was onlyone winner from a long way out,” Dettori said.
Candida Baker, the trainer’s wife, said: “The ground came for us and we’re chuffed to bits. He often doesn’t want to go down and can plant himself, but he was very calm today. Frankie got on and he went down as easy as he’s ever done. I think we’ve got the measure of him now. He’s happy and improving.”
The two-year-old Bear Behind made the running, with Captain Dunne and Duchess Dora also prominent.
Dinkum Diamond ranged up to challenge from the 2f pole and took the lead approaching the final furlong, but with Humidor looming just behind him and Richard Hughes stoking up Medicean Man for a desperate late bid.
Humidor quickened to lead inside the furlong pole and soon took the measure of Dinkum Diamond. Medicean Man never got close enough to worry Dettori, but his fast finish suggested the result might have been different if he had got away cleanly.
Medicean Man’s trainer, Jeremy Gask, was inclined not to blame the five-year-old’s tardy start for the defeat and nominated the Group 3 Dubai International World Trophy at Newbury on September 17 as the next target.
var $facebookBlock = $(‘#facebook’);
if ($facebookBlock.length){
$facebookBlock.attr(‘allowTransparency’, true);
}