Bivouac bounces back with impressive G2 Rosehill victory

The G1 Golden Rose is now firmly on the radar for Bivouac following his success in Saturday’s G2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill.

A performance that banished memories of his out-of-character second placing at his previous start also earned Bivouac the full confidence of trainer James Cummings.

“That was the Bivouac who won so well at Caulfield a month ago,” Cummings said.

“He’s a very smart young horse who we can proceed with to the 1,400m of the Golden Rose with some confidence.”

Bivouac emerged from his two-year-old season as one of the better performers in a stable of stars, winning at Listed and G3 level and indicated he had returned from his winter spell in the same sparkling form, scoring a dominant victory in the G3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield on 17 August.

But the son of Exceed And Excel was struck with a heavy track at his next start, finishing second to Exceedance, who he had behind him on third place on Saturday.

The Run To The Rose win has also brought the G1 Caulfield Guineas into focus, although Cummings declined to be drawn on the colt’s future beyond the Golden Rose, run at Rosehill on Saturday, 28 September.

“We’ve got one target to aim at for now and that is the Golden Rose,” he said.

“The Guineas is there, but we won’t be thinking about it until we see how he comes through his next run.”

Jockey Josh Parr had Bivouac racing generously outside the lead until the 300m when he called on the colt who responded magnificently.

The pair quickly opened up a two-length lead which they maintained to the line, beating Yes Yes Yes and Exceedance.

In the day’s feature event, the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, Hartnell ran his usual brave race to finish fourth to Gatting.