Humidor surprises in Feehan

Dual Cox Plate placegetter Humidor has got off the canvas to again announce himself as a weight-for-age championship threat after he burst through late to win the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at The Valley on Saturday.

In his first run for trainer Chris Waller after stints with Lindsey Smith and Ciaron Maher, Humidor won his first race for more than two years when he edged out brave pair Surprise Baby and Harbour Views to grab a ballot-free run into next month's $5 million Cox Plate.

Now an eight-year-old, Humidor has had a mixed association with the Cox Plate. After pushing champion Winx in 2017, he finished third in 2018 but last year missed the final cut and eventually sat the race out after being named first emergency.

WATCH: Humidor's win

Starting at $18, Humidor burst through the pace late and had a long-neck margin over Surprise Baby ($3 fav), with a further half head to Harbour Views ($5.50) in third place.

Damian Lane suspected the veteran could deliver something first-up.

"I've watched him at trackwork a lot over the past few weeks this horse since I've been back and he's looked in great condition and he's trialed up really well.

"Very unfortunate for Damien Thornton to get hurt on Monday and I was very fortunate to pick up the ride and I was happy to take it from what I had seen at work and he give me a great ride here today.

"I loved being back on him."

As for a Cox Plate tilt: "As I've probably always said with this horse, you'd never put anything past him. He's a little superstar and on his day is as good as any horse."

Waller's Melbourne representative Jo Taylor said: "I think going back a few years with him and getting so close to a very special mare of ours (Winx) and knowing that he hasn't quite hit form since then and had a few setbacks.

"You know what, the team have done a fantastic job with him and it was just a really rewarding win today.

"We wanted to see him come here and run well. We wanted him to show us that he wanted to be here even if it wasn't a winning run. What he did today he certainly showed up that he's back on track.

"He's an eight-year-old now. He's got so much character. He certainly gets spoilt around the stable. He's a part of the family and let's hope we can take him all the way."

Surprise Baby's trainer Paul Preusker said while disappointed to lose, he was very proud of his horse's efforts.

He added that he felt the horse was a little 'ring rusty' at his first start since last year's Melbourne Cup but that he had so much more to give this spring.