Eighth Stakes winner for Bivouac as Cavalry Girl bolts in at Morphettville

An emphatic and deserved Listed Lightning Stakes (1,050m) victory from speedy filly Cavalry Girl saw Darley’s rising star stallion Bivouac increase his number of Stakes winners to eight from his first two crops.

The Tom Dabernig-trained three-year-old had been tested in stakes company several times during her previous 14 starts and came into the Morphettville sprint for two and three-year-olds as a clear market favourite off the back of a recent win and second at Caulfield.

Jockey Todd Pannell took luck out of the equation, jumping straight to the lead and controlling the race. It was clear as soon as the field turned for home that Cavalry Girl would take plenty of catching.

She got further in front as the race continued and as the field crossed the line, she was 4.5 lengths clear of Yuuki, with Bardigrub in third.    

With her fifth win, her career prize money now exceeds $317,000, nearly three times the $110,000 Prime Thoroughbreds paid for her from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Sale. 

“She was a precocious two-year-old and she has really trained on and developed nicely,” stable representative Dara O'Meachair said.

“She's not an overly big filly but has plenty of strength and has progressed from two to three and no reason why she can't do the same from three to four.”

The victory helps Bivouac extend his lead in the battle to be crowned champion Australian second-season sire, with his progeny having won over $6.6 million. 

The son of Exceed and Excel is also equal leading Stakes producing second-season sire in Australia this season with six in total, including dual Group 1 winner Beiwacht and Queensland Oaks winner Fireball Miss.  

He stands at Darley Kelvinside in 2026 at $33,000 inc GST.