Former Kiwis lead Weir’s Caulfield Stakes charge

Former New Zealand-trained gallopers Night’s Watch and Humidor form two of a three-pronged attack champion trainer Darren Weir will have on today’s group one Caulfield Stakes (2000m), with Japan import Tosen Basil the other team member.

Rising star Night’s Watch, who was initially trained by Peter and Dawn Williams in New Zealand, is likely to back up in Saturday week’s group one Caulfield Cup (2400m) if he performs well this weekend.

“Night’s Watch is in great shape,” Weir said. “I guess each time he has gone to the races he has taken the right steps. More importantly, he has taken the right steps at home, too.

“He looks a lot better at home after each run. I am looking forward to seeing where he fits in, as this will be the best opposition he has taken on.

“He should get a good run from the barrier (3) and, if he runs through the line strongly, he will definitely be backing up in the Caulfield Cup.

“I think he will run 2400m [of the Caulfield Cup] and he has had the ideal preparation. He hasn’t been an easy horse to train but he has got a lot better and now he is very manageable and is even racing better.”

Weir is also pleased with the progress of triple group one winner Humidor, who was originally prepared by Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard in New Zealand.

“Humidor is going great and he’s racing really well,” Weir said.

“Everyone keeps saying his manners are better this preparation, but I’d have to say the barrier has probably had a bit to do with that.

“He has drawn barrier one in three of his last four starts, which means that he can just go to sleep on the fence and then not get on one rein and hang like he can often do.

“He has grown up a bit and he’s going as well as he can.”

Humidor, who has incredibly drawn the inside gate at five of his past seven starts, has drawn barrier seven in the field of 12 today.

● Peaceful, who is trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, was an unlucky sixth over 1400m at Flemington last Saturday.

“I was encouraged by what she did in her first run in Australia. Drawing barrier 12 in the Thousand Guineas is not ideal but one thing I will say is she will be strong late and will eat up the

1600m,” Baker said.