Sydney’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes during ‘The Championships’ is the obvious next-up autumn target for Godolphin’s brilliant colt Bivouac following his ultra-impressive 2020 Newmarket Handicap win down the straight at HQ on Super Saturday.

Bivouac was ultra-impressive winning the 2020 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington for Godolphin. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Group 1 $1.5 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) turned into a one-horse race in the end with jockey Glen Boss celebrating his first win in the sprint classic aboard the James Cummings-trained son of Exceed And Excel, Bivouac.

Already an elite level winner having claimed Sydney’s Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) defeating subsequent The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes last September, Bivouac first saw the ‘Straight Six’ at Flemington when second to Exceedance in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) over the Cup Carnival.

Bivouac had the fitness edge over Exceedance, who jumped favourite first-up in the Newmarket Handicap, having raced a luckless sixth when things worked against him at Caulfield in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.

Quick to atone, Bivouac ($6) gave Boss the feel of a winner even walking into the barriers and was so dominant in his runaway win over the classy filly Loving Gaby ($4.60) as the three-year-olds dominated the Newmarket Handicap results.

“It’s amazing when you get on these colts, I can’t explain, just going to the barriers I just knew I was on the winner,” Boss said post-win.

“He really meant business. Every stride he took to the barriers gave me more confidence.

“He never put a foot wrong.

“Ridiculous how easily he won in the end.

“Just the way he set himself up, he give me a lovely ride.”

Rounding out the trifecta running a brave third was Gordon Richards’ upset Black Caviar Lightning winner Gytrash ($10) who was gutsy finishing in the money with the 57kg topweight.

Boss had Bivouac settled second behind the leader Banquo, the eventual winner always travelling well getting a nice trail into the race.

In a huge performance, Boss had the race won a long way out with a confident ride down the outside knowing he had the field covered.

“Very rare against that quality of opposition that you think you could walk away and have a victory that easily,” Boss said.

“That last quarter – from the 300 to the hundred – jeez I went quick, he really turned it on.

“He’s an unbelievable, valuable colt.

“I couldn’t have scripted it any better.

“I just love these moments I really do. I just love riding great colts.

“To be able to get myself on the back of this colt and feel the power and the speed it was just immense.

“These are the moments we live for.”

The Group 1 $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) runs at Royal Randwick on April 4 and Godolphin’s General Manager in Australian Vin Cox said Sydney was definitely the target following the Newmarket triumph.

“He’s already a Group 1 winner but to win a Newmarket, it’s one of the elite races on the Australian racing calendar and to do it in the immense fashion he did,” Cox said.

“To win a Newmarket is a pretty special event with a colt.

“He’s fit and right, he’s a proper horse.

“The form out of the race will be strong…he’s a very exciting prospect and we hope to race on for another 12 months at least.

“That’s the obvious path with him to Sydney there’s some quality Group 1 sprints we think we’re going to be very competitive in.”

Lankan Rupee (2014) was the last sprinter to complete the Newmarket Handicap – TJ Smith Stakes double.

The latest TJ Smith Stakes odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have firmed on Bivouac in from $10 to $4.50.

Click here for the full all-in 2020 TJ Smith Stakes betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Newmarket Handicap Results