Socceroo's Kick Goal With Humma

Some former Socceroos could be back in  town on Brisbane Cup day next month following the upset win from Humma in the Group 3 Chairman's Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

Humma, who is part owned by former Australian skipper Craig Moore, Scott Chipperfield and lanky goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, caught trainer Rob Heathcote off guard when the seven-year-old narrowly won for the 10th time in his career.

Humma stormed home to snatch victory by a nose over the Mike Moroney-trained Viking Hero with Count Encosta,  a further long head away third.

Heathcote admitted he was preoccupied with another of his Chairman's runners, Tabulate, who threaded his way through the field along the rails to snatch fifth place, less than one length from his stablemate.

"To be honest I was watching Tabulate shoot up along the rails and I wasn't watching Humma," Heathcote said.

"This win is a little unexpected but it was a lovely ride from Larry Cassidy.

"Larry and I go back a long way and he's riding better than ever."

Humma's win has now forced Heathcote to revise his carnival plans with the son of Iglesia.

"He had to show us he could step up today if we were to go on further in the carnival with him," Heathcote said.

"He's been disappointing on wet tracks of late but this was the first time he's struck a decent track for a while.

"I'm over the moon with his win. Before this his best win was in the Listed Toowoomba Cup, now he's a Group Three winner."

Trainer Mike Moroney was deceived by the photo verdict and will see how Viking Hero pulls up before deciding whether the four-year-old backs-up in next Saturday's G1 Doomben Cup (2020m).

"The photo fooled me. I thought Viking Hero had won," Moroney said.

"It was a good effort but he needs racing so he could back-up next Saturday in the Doomben Cup if he pulls okay."

Viking Hero was having his first start since failing on a heavy track behind Doomben Cup favourite My Kingdom Of Fife in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 23.

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Photo: Michael Early