Rare courage and undisputed brilliance has earned Bivouac a breakthrough G1 victory in Saturday’s Golden Rose at Rosehill, at the same time giving his sire Exceed And Excel his 13th success at the supreme level.
Bivouac also laid claim to the title of Australia’s top-ranked three-year-old with a win that opened the door on a range of possibilities.
In a race previously won by the Darley stallions Exosphere, Hallowed Crown, Astern and Epaulette, Bivouac raced comfortably outside the leader until the runner-up Yes Yes Yes came off his back to loom at the 250m and looked to have enough momentum to carry him to the lead.
But Bivouac drew deeply, repelling Yes Yes Yes and again edging clear on the line.
The win is the colt’s fifth from nine starts and prompted trainer James Cummings to declare him the best of his age.
“The past six weeks has been perfection,” Cummings said.
“I thought before today’s race that he was the best six-furlong three-year-old in the country, and now he’s shown us he’s up there at seven as well.”
Bivouac is the third winner from three to race from his dam Dazzler, a member of one of Godolphin’s best Australian families.
Dazzler is a daughter of Camarilla, a G1 winner and the dam of the outstanding filly Guelph, the winner of four G1's.
Exceed And Excel is standing the current southern-hemisphere breeding season at Kelvinside, NSW, at a fee of A$88,000 including GST.
