Quality performer Bivouac produced a solid gallop in-between races at Kemble Grange, signalling it was all systems go for the son of Exceed and Excel for his assignment on Saturday … in where-ever race that might be.
Trainer James Cummings would not be drawn on any final decision as to which challenge Bivouac would take on. He is nominated for the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington and the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick … both Group 1 contests … as well as the Group 2 Challenge Stakes, also at Randwick.
“I’ll have a chat to the boys about where we are comfortable to run the horse,” said Cummings. “He’s got a very good turn of foot and is quick off the mark and he is evidently feeling good in himself.
“The run that he had up the straight in the Lightning has really brought him on so, I think, wherever we decide to run him, he will run a good race.
“Bivouac regularly takes a run to get going and he’s done that again this preparation and we can just see in himself that he has improved again. His muscle tone is better and he is now feeling fit enough to be working as strong as that. That’s a good indication that he is ready to run a big race.
“We are probably leaning a bit more towards the Canterbury Stakes at this stage, but there is plenty of speed in his legs if we think he is the right horse to keep to the 1000m for this time before we really start ramping him up for the T J Smith in another month.”
The Challenge Stakes at Randwick on Saturday is a 1000m race.
“I was happy with both of the horses. (Bivouac galloped with stable-mate Kementari). Kenmentari trialled last week. He comes out of a very strong form race out of Perth.”
Cummings was referring to Kementari’s win the Group 3 A J Scahill in his last start where he beat Celebrity Queen.
Celebrity Queen then franked that form in no uncertain terms by coming out and winning the group 1 Oakleigh Plate in her next start.
“It is important that they (Bivouac and Kementari) both go ahead and pull up well from their work and then they’ll be running this weekend,” concluded Cummings.
Kementari has also been nominated for the Canterbury Stakes.
