Bowman backs Bivouac

Star jockey Hugh Bowman believes Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) will collect a third elite level title on Saturday.

Already a dual winner at the highest level, he will line up against a quality G1 All-Aged S. field headed by last year's winner Pierata (Pierro), top sprinter Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and last-start Group 1 winner Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock).

Bowman is supremely confident Bivouac can beat them all from an ideal draw.

"He has been an exceptional colt, he is probably the best 3-year-old of his generation," Bowman said. "I just love the barrier draw, the way the race looks to set up. I think it suits him. He is an exceptional horse and he's in great order.

"From barrier four I expect to be just behind the speed. With even luck I think he will win the race."

Lees not giving up

European Group 1 winner Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) has yet to find his best form in Australia, but trainer Kris Lees is keeping the faith.

Last time out in the G1 Tancred S. he settled last before sweeping around the field mid-race to take up the running, kicking on the corner and tiring late to finish eighth.

He drops in distance and grade for Saturday's G3 Japan Racing Association Plate at Randwick and Lees is hoping the Tancred run has sparked up Danceteria.

"He took off mid-race the other day and it might have helped him from a future point of view and switched him on a little bit," Lees said. "If he can run anywhere near his best he will be right in this race."

Clark in top form

Tim Clark is at the top of his game and at Randwick will bid to ride a stakes winner for the seventh consecutive Saturday.

His haul includes three Group 1 carnival victories – the Coolmore Classic and Coolmore Legacy aboard Tulloch Lodge mare Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) and The Galaxy on the David Pfieffer-trained I Am Excited (Snitzel).

"It has been a good carnival. They're definitely three of the highlights," Clark said. "I feel like I'm riding pretty well. Probably the most pleasing part about most of my winners this carnival is they have been long-priced winners. It is not like I'm getting on the favourites.

"That is a pleasing thing knowing you're getting the job done on horses that aren't expected to go that well."

Clark's book at Randwick on Saturday is headed by Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G1 All Aged S.

Saturday highlight

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman look forward to Saturdays even more than usual at present.

With New Zealand likely into its final week of a month-long Alert Level 4 lockdown, the training partners have been watching from afar as Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) and The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) have represented the stable with distinction at the Sydney autumn carnival during that time.

Quick Thinker won both the G2 Tulloch S. and the G1 Australian Derby within the space of seven days, while his stablemate ran second in the G1 Sydney Cup.

“They’ve both performed really well and it’s fair to say they’ve been a highlight for the month,” Baker said.

While The Chosen One has gone for a break, Quick Thinker will round out his campaign when he contests Saturday’s G3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick on what is likely to be better ground than the rain-affected conditions of his past two wins.

Blue Gum fees

Victorian stud Blue Gum Farm has reduced its 2020 service fees for its two resident stallions.

Manhattan Rain, sire of Group 1 winners She Will Reign and Whisky Baron, will stand at $13,200 incl GST, down from $16,500 last year.

Associate stallion Turffontein’s fee has been reduced from $8800 to $6600 incl GST. His leading representatives have been the Group 2 winners Fontein Ruby and Fontiton.

Group 3 test for Parsifal

Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is on a path to the G1 Goodwood on May 16 and trainer Will Clarken is expecting an improved performance when the seven-time winner contests Saturday’s G3 R N Irwin S. at Morphettville.

The gelding finished sixth when resuming over 1000 metres at Caulfield earlier in the month and has taken good benefit from the run.

“I’d lie if I was to say I was rapt with his run,” Clarken said. “He was a little bit soft the last bit. Whether that was the horse wasn’t at 100 per cent fitness or the wet track, or because he got caught wide, he had a few excuses.

“He has come on a great deal from then. He hasn’t missed a beat. He had a jump-out on Tuesday and looked good.”

Chasing compensation

A minor setback forced Get The Idea (So You Think {NZ}) to miss the G1 Australian Derby with trainer John Sargent setting his sights instead on the G3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick.

The 3-year-old won two of his first three starts at the provincials before finishing unplaced in the G1 Rosehill Guineas last time out.

"Things didn't go to plan in the Rosehill Guineas," Sargent said. "He made a run down the back and he's the sort of horse who has got to be saved for one run, I think he'll run a lot better race.

"He was in the Derby and he got cast so we had to scratch him. He was a bit sore with some skin off, but he's right back to his best now. He galloped well on Tuesday."

Move paying off

Grafton trainer Neville Stewart is reaping the rewards of relocating to Queensland for a couple months with one horse.

Stewart is the trainer of promising 2-year-old Broken Hero (Better Than Ready), who is among the favourites for the Thankyou Health Care Workers 2YO H. at Doomben on Saturday.

"I went to Grafton and bought a filly named Western Desert, who won a couple of races before breaking down,” he said. "We decided to breed from her and she went to young sire Better Than Ready and the result was Broken Hero.

"He won well first-up at Beaudesert and then he was a good third last time at Doomben over 1200 metres.”

Supplementary entries taken

Easter Round Two, the live auction scheduled for July 5 of yearlings originally passed in at Easter One and those targeted specifically at the sale, will also now be open to select supplementary entries.

Entry fee will be $1500 + GST and modified commission terms will apply with the supplementary applications to close at 5pm on Thursday, April 30. There will be no pass-in commission charged at the sale.

As previously announced, Inglis intends to hold Easter Round Two as a physical sale at Riverside Stables on Sunday, July 5, but that will be dependent on any restrictions still in place in respect of COVID-19. Otherwise, it will be a virtual auction with online and phone bidding.

“We want to try and give every vendor the optimum opportunity to sell their horses where practicable and given there has been significant interest in adding additional select entries to the sale on July 5 from vendors, it seems an appropriate step to take to facilitate suitable yearlings,’’ Inglis General Manager of Bloodstock Sales and Marketing Sebastian Hutch said.

Sale inspections

Inspections for mares entered in the Inglis Chairman’s Sale can be by appointment with their respective consignors, with most available by early next week. While many mares will be on the farms of the vendors, some will be relocated.

Baystone Farm - Devout Heiress (USA) (Speightstown {USA}), Indrabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Justice Glory Fastnet Rock), Shadow Watch (So You Think {NZ}) and Shapita (Foxwedge). Located at Sledmere Stud from the week starting April 20, exact date to be confirmed.

Blue Sky Premium - Unforgotten (Fastbet Rock). Currently in work with Chris Waller and relocation details are to be confirmed.

Hesket Bloodstock - All Of Me (Pierro), Royal Expectations (Exceed And Excel), Sword Of Light (New Approach {Ire}). Sword Of Light and All Of Me will re-locate to Amarina Farm during the latter half of the week starting April 20. Royal Expectations is currently in work at Flemington with Ellerton/Zahra.

Lime Country - Oh My Mimi (Snitzel), Tinkermosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}). Located at Sledmere Stud from Tuesday April 21.

Mill Park - Arabian Gold (Dubawi {Ire}). Located at Sledmere Stud from Wednesday, April 22.

Twin Hills - Baileya (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}), Urban Rocket (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Located at Yarraman Park from the week starting April 20, exact date to be confirmed.

Yarran – Booker (Written Tycoon). Currently in work with Gerald Ryan and relocation date to Fairview Park to be confirmed.

Yarraman - In Her Time (Time Thief). Currently in work with Kris Lees and relocation date to Yarraman Park is TBC.

Fundamentalist Syndicate – Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt). Located at Aquis Farm, NSW.

Lubiana Syndicate – Lubiana (Fastnet Rock). Located at Aquis Farm, NSW .