The achievement of a well executed plan is certainly cause to celebrate so there was little wonder that Aucklander John Carter was feeling a little worse for wear less than 24 hours after enjoying his first group one win on Australian soil.
Carter, who along with brother Mark and sister Rachael comprise the Jomara Bloodstock team, was on hand at Flemington on Saturday to cheer home Humidor, the horse they bred and still share in the ownership of, as he stormed to victory in the group one Australian Cup.
Touted as a group one performer of the future after just a handful of starts in New Zealand, Humidor overcame a strong on-pace bias on the day to down a quality line-up and notch his first elite level victory. Notorious for some wayward tendencies during his races Humidor put his best foot forward as he downed last year's Caulfield Cup winner Jameka in a thrilling finish.
The result was another feather in the cap of master trainer Darren Weir who had Humidor enter his team in November last year after the Carters sold a 50 per cent share in the horse to a group of Weir's stable clients. Weir has played a patient game with the four-year-old Teofilo gelding who now looks as if he could become a major player at the upcoming Sydney autumn carnival.
Not that Carter and his siblings are looking too far ahead, content to let Weir work his magic as they enjoy the ride.