Bivouac bosses rivals

Classy sprinter claims Darley as jockey celebrates with exuberance

FLAMBOYANT jockey Glen Boss had plenty of time to pick his victory salute at the end of yesterday’s Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington.

Bivouac sealed victory when he blew past Nature Strip like the four-time Group 1 winner was stationary at the 150m, leaving Boss with a few seconds’ thinking time as the Godolphin sprinter cruised clear of his rivals. “There’s a sprinter of the year right beside him and he went straight past it and said ‘see you later boys’,” Boss said.

Boss had a look over each shoulder to make sure Bivouac’s opposition had been crushed before standing high in the irons as the son of Exceed And Excel strode to the line more than three lengths clear of Nature Strip.

Boss flourished the whip in the air when winning the Cox

Plate on Sir Dragonet but went for the head shake at Flemington. That decision saved Boss another donation to Racing Victoria’s coffers. Because he kept both hands on the reins until the end of the race, stewards decided against fining the jockey for his latest salute.

But Boss wouldn’t have been concerned had stewards fined him. He said wins like Bivouac’s Darley Sprint Classic effort would stick in his mind long after the 51-year-old gave up riding. “These are special moments,” Boss said.

“I’ll go when I’m retired and look back on these moments as very fond memories to think I was able to get on a colt like this and get the job done.

“I’m getting towards the pointy end of my career, but to be here at Flemington and win a race over the four days, is extraordinary.”

Boss said he expected Bivouac to win the $1.5 million race from the moment he saw the James Cummings-trained sprinter in the mounting yard.

He said the now four-yearold stallion was all business from the moment he went on to the track.

“He’s got a great demeanour; he takes everything in his stride. He’s such an athlete,” Boss said.

“He doesn’t know he’s a colt. He just knows he’s here to do a job and to it very well.”

Boss won the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap on Bivouac as an autumn three-year-old. He said Bivouac was right up there with the best colts and stallions he had ridden, many of which stand for massive service fees at stud.

Bivouac is set to command an imposing service fee himself when he starts his breeding career at Darley in the future.

“Everyone knows how many good colts I’ve been associated with in my career and this one is right up there with them,” Boss said