Bivouac up to task against older brigade: Cummings
JAMES Cummings believes his gun three-year-old colt Bivouac is up to the challenge of defeating the older horses in tonight’s $1 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Bivouac is a short priced favourite at $1.85 to become the first three-year-old since Sepoy to win the Manikato Stakes in 2011. Bivouac was a $2.25 favourite with TAB but after the win of Yes Yes Yes in The Everest, who he defeated at his previous start to win the Golden Rose Stakes he firmed into $1.90 and he’s firmed since.
Bivouac and Sepoy have a number of things in common.
Sepoy was also owned by Godolphin, also drew barrier one as Bivouac has and also started a short priced favourite and was ridden by Kerrin
McEvoy. On that occasion Sepoy led throughout and Cummings said he would leave it up to McEvoy if he wanted to replicate those tactics.
“The horse has wonderful gate speed and that will be for him (McEvoy) to judge in the first instance.”
There are two other threeyear-olds in the race which are the fillies Anaheed and Loving Gaby and Cummings believes they pose the main threat to
Bivouac and the older horse The Bostonian.
“It’s no easy assignment at this early stage of the season to beat the older horses, but over the years the record of threeyear-olds has been quite good.”
Cummings is happy with the way Bivouac has recovered from winning the Golden Rose. “He’s had a month between runs to revitalise and ensure that he’s ready for another G1 performance. His appearance is pleasing to the eye and his work has been excellent.
“A little jump-out last week kept him humming and I think he’ll handle The Valley quite well.
Cummings said he wasn’t concerned about the prospect of rain today.