Group Winning Bivouac Filly Impresses at Trials

Media Release - Tuesday July 22

Talented filly Intention made an impressive winning return to the Foxton trials on Tuesday, ticking the first box in a journey towards top three-year-old honours.

In a five-start juvenile campaign, Intention upset the market when claiming the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), and despite attempting to buck for several strides when leaving the barriers, was just a long neck from taking out the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m).

Stakes-winning juvenile Intention.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Her barrier woes continued when missing away in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and while she was slow out again in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), she picked up to finish a creditable fifth.

The daughter of Bivouac subsequently went out for a spell, and when she returned to Mike Breslin’s Awapuni barn, amending her racing manners came to the forefront. With that in mind, he engaged the services of experienced senior hoop Jonathan Riddell in the 850m heat, where she jumped well, travelled on the bridle throughout and was never headed, cruising to the line under her own steam.

Breslin was delighted to get the result he was after, particularly in the gates.

“She did exactly what I took her there for, I ran her against the two-year-olds so that she could have a quiet trial, she’d only had about three reasonable gallops coming into it,” he said. “It was just a quiet day out and I was happy with how she went, so that’s the first step done.

“We’re wanting to iron out her barrier manners a little bit, which is why I specifically got Jonathan Riddell to ride her today, even though unfortunately, as she’s a filly, he probably won’t be able to make the weight for her on race day.

“I wanted some feedback from him in that respect, and he gave me some very useful information about her in the barriers. Hopefully we can utilise that going forward, she’s just a little bit nervous in the gates and has been costing herself, she cost herself dearly at Matamata and a couple of other times.

Advertisement

“That probably stopped her from being right up with the best two-year-olds.”

Already a $128,000 earner, Intention proved herself in strong company as a juvenile, and Breslin hopes to do the same at three, with the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) being the ultimate goal this spring.

“I’ve pencilled in a programme with her first main aim being the 1000 Guineas in Christchurch,” he said. “I’ve got a map in getting her there, so if everything goes smoothly, hopefully we can make it happen.

“She has to match up against the best three-year-olds and you don’t know until you get on a race track whether they will do that, but I think she’s got enough ability, it’s just ironing out the barrier manners.

“That will make everyone’s job, including hers, a lot easier.”

Before she heads to the races, Breslin intends to take the filly back to Foxton to contest an open trial on the 15th of August.

“She’ll have another trial in two weeks’ time, and I may put her in an open heat there,” he said. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
Half Yours Delivers Fee Increase for St Jean
The rise of Caulfield Cup favourite Half Yours as one of the most promising young stayers in the land has put the spotlight on his sire St Jean (IRE).
Golden Rose Colts – Sires of the Future
The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?
Inglis Confirm Skybird for Everest Slot
Inglis is thrilled to confirm G1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as our representative for the running of the $20m The Everest.
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 25
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Winner a SW for Bivouac
Overlooked in the lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.2 Happy Hire Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham, Bivouac filly Intention burst out of the shadows of her higher-rated rivals and scored an impressive upset win.