Godolphin looked to have uncovered a genuine Group 1 spring horse in Bivouac who exploded home at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday to win the Vain Stakes 2019.

Bivouac impressed in a four length Vain Stakes 2019 win ahead of the spring. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The progressive Exceed And Excel three-year-old was last seen saluting at Randwick by two lengths in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) on April 6.

Donning the famous Royal Blue silks, Bivouac was equally as impressive in his Melbourne race debut on P.B. Lawrence Stakes Day.

Jockey Hugh Bowman, of Winx fame, jumped aboard the colt for the first time in the Group 3 $160,000 Ladbrokes Vain Stakes (1100m).

He gave the up-and-comer a perfectly timed ride in the set weights plus penalties sprint that features just six starters after two early scratchings from the field.

Bivouac settled fourth in running before Bowman made a move about 250m out from the line.

In a brilliant first-up display, the colt was eased out three wide by Bowman having sat poised behind the front runners, finding fantastic acceleration once in the clear.

From there Bivouac ($3F) bolted in finishing a commanding four and a half-lengths ahead of Lindsay Park’s Sebring colt and pacemaker, Sebrakate ($12), while Dirty Work ($26) added value to the trifecta in third.

A next-up option for the Vain Stakes winner Bivouac could be a return to Sydney for the Group 3 $160,000 San Domencio Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 31.

“That was a perfect effort from the horse,” Godolphin’s stable rep Sean Keogh said after the win.

“We were definitely happy with the way we entered the race and there’s more from this horse to come.

“We’ll get him home and assess things…but options like the San Domenico or playing the options here in Melbourne are possibilities.

“That was a nice performance.”

Looking ahead, Bivouac could target Sydney’s Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) back at Rosehill on September 28.

He has firmed in from $26 to $11 in Golden Rose betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Bivouac has also shortened dramatically in futures odds on the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) – $21 into $13 – and for the Group 1 $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival ($26 into $15).