Bivouac prior to the Manikato Stakes (Image: Racing Photos)
James Cummings hasn't ruled out a tilt at the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes with star colt Bivouac, who was luckless when defeated as the odds-on favourite in Friday night's Manikato Stakes at The Valley.
Bivouac ($1.80) jumped well but failed to muster speed from the inside gate and was quickly crossed by Loving Gaby and Faatinah to end up three pairs back on the fence.
Kerrin McEvoy struggled to navigate clear running in the final 200m and the colt went to the line largely untested, just over two lengths adrift of the winner.
Cummings said that while it wasn't originally the plan to tackle the $1 million sprint down the Flemington straight, the Golden Rose winner could yet step out on Derby Day in a bid to add another Group 1 win to his CV.
"We didn't want to be three pairs back on the fence and Kerrin (McEvoy) felt that Craig on Loving Gaby just beat him to that spot," Cummings said.
"From that position it was going to be very hard to aim up anywhere with Bivouac.
"He just about had a six furlong barrier trial.
"It did look a little bit like Sunlight here 12 months ago in the Manikato and she came out eight days later and looked fantastic up the straight in the Coolmore.
"He's in the nominations (for the Coolmore) and we can have that discussion."
WATCH: Loving Gaby wins the Manikato Stakes.