Bivouac is a chance to return under lights at The Valley
Bivouac’s Victorian campaign might not be over with James Cummings suggesting the glamour colt could run in the William Reid Stakes.
Godolphin’s Australian head trainer confirmed the $2.5m T.J. Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4 was the ultimate autumn goal for Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap winner, but said the William Reid was the most likely pitstop if they elect to go in with another run under his belt.
The William Reid, like the Manikato Stakes, is a Group 1 race over 1200m run under weight-for-age conditions at The Valley. Bivouac had little luck when sixth as the $1.80 favourite in last year’s Manikato Stakes.
“The horse was bit unlucky in the spring at Moonee Valley, he might have a point to prove there and it’s possible that he could run in the race,” Cummings told RSN927's Correct Weight on Sunday morning.
“He’d be third up in the TJ if we went straight there, but it’s a month away and if we feel like he needs another run between now and then, that (William Reid) would be a really suitable race.”
Bivouac added the Newmarket crown to the Group 1 Golden Rose trophy he won for Godolphin the start before his luckless Manikato Stakes effort.
Cummings also provided an update on another of his Group 1-winning three-year-olds, Thousand Guineas winner Flit, who will represent Godolphin in this Saturday’s $5m All-Star Mile.
The trainer said the 1600m event had appeal as a lead-in to the G1 Doncaster Mile for the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who will be looking to make it two-from-two for the three-year-old girls in the All-Star Mile, following the win of Mystic Journey last year.
“She’s well. I was pleased with her on the track on the track yesterday,” Cummings said.
“She’ll be carrying the hopes of the three-year-old fillies under that weight-for-age scale that looked like it was in their favour last year.”
Flit is an $11 chance in BetEasy’s All-Star Mile market, which is headed by Alligator Blood at $2.90.