Humidor (Image: Racing Photos)
Darren Weir is going all out in his attempt to knock off Winx in the Cox Plate with his Australian Cup winner Humidor to wear blinkers on Saturday for new rider Blake Shinn.
Humidor has ruined his chance at his past two races - including last Saturday in the Caulfield Cup - with his trait of laying-in, but on Saturday the addition of blinkers could be the spur for the horse to find his best form, according to Shinn.
"He's got blinkers on so hopefully that will assist with him laying-in a little bit but he's obviously done that in a lot of his runs," the 30-year-old hoop said on Wednesday.
"Darren Weir - he's a master - so the blinkers on, hopefully that's the ace up his sleeve with him that he needs to tackle the great mare."
The booking of Shinn might also prove a masterstroke as he spent a prolonged period this year riding in the US and sharpening his whip style to allow him to shift smoothly between his right and left hands.
Shinn has watched Humidor's performances this year and he said the horse has impressed him.
"He's a really well-credentialed horse," he said. "In the Caulfield Cup I thought his run was good. He was forward, which was not his normal pattern, but he stuck on well.
"It's a horse race so anything can happen. We'll be out there doing our best to win.
"If you take Winx out, he's probably the best-credentialed horse in the race."
Shinn said it was important that he build-on what has been a career-changing year for him.
"I've had a good year. I went to America and did well over there and things are building nicely hopefully for a big Spring Carnival.
"I've got Tangled in the (Victoria) Derby and Prompt Response - she's in the Myer. I'll ride Summer Passage in the Coolmore and Luvaluva in the Wakeful and Oaks so I've got a lot of good chances to look forward to this spring."
As for Cox Plates, Shinn has ridden in three, with a third placing on Fiorente in 2013 his best result.
WATCH: Humidor's Caulfield Cup run