The Group 1 $500,000 Neds Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22 looks the likely 2020 Autumn Racing Carnival starting point for Group 1 winning three year old Bivouac.
Bivouac, above, is likely to kick off his 2020 Autumn Carnival campaign in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Bivouac proved his class with a win in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill during the 2019 Sydney Spring Racing Carnival and was sent for a spell following his second to Exceedance in the Group 1 $1.5m Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Golden Rose winning jockey Hugh Bowman was back aboard Bivouac for his Rosehill trial win on Tuesday and trainer James Cummings is looking to the Oakleigh Plate as the colt’s first run back this campaign.
“I’m interested in the Oakleigh Plate first-up,” Cummings told the Herald Sun.
“He’s a three-year-old and they have a good record in the race and he’ll get a light weight and we get a chance to capitalise on that.”
“He’s going very nicely.”
“I’m very pleased with the way he’s returned.”
Bowman was equally impressed with Bivouac’s 900m barrier trial win.
“He felt really good,” Bowman told Racenet.
“I am really impressed with his physical appearance. He looks to have developed significantly to me.
“His trial was really good and that was there for everyone to see. He felt as good as he looked.
“I didn’t ask a great deal from him so until he is put under a bit more pressure, we aren’t going to know how much he has improved but he has certainly come back well.
“I think he has matured a bit. He was a bit fizzy last preparation, but I am pleased with the way he has progressed.”
Bivouac has been installed as the $3 favourite in early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Oakleigh Plate ahead of Exceedance at $7 and the Chris Waller trained Yes Yes Yes at $8.
Early betting for the Oakleigh Plate at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Bivouac, $7 Exceedance, $8 Yes Yes Yes, $12 Sunlight, $14 Loving Gaby, Pierata, Trekking, $15 Anaheed, Booker, Cosmic Force, Exhilarates, Humma Humma, $16 Libertini, $17 Soothing, $19 California Zimbol, Lyre, Miss Leonidas, Pippie, $21 Bons Away, Eduardo, $26 or better the rest.
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