Exit (AUS)
2 f Bivouac – Secretly Discreet, by Lonhro
O: Mr A Kheir, Mr J A O’Neill, Mr L Caminiti, Ryan & Alexiou Racing, Cookie Racing, A K Racing, Mrs M F Anderson, Deg Racing, Mill Park Stud, Mr B J O’Brien
B: Mill Park Stud Pty Ltd, Mrs Pamela Loxton, Mr David Peacock, SA
T: Ciaron Maher
S: 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Mill Park Stud P: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, $675,000
W: Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap, 1300m, Sandown, July 16
Juvenile filly Exit (Bivouac) turned heads on Wednesday when she produced a stylish maiden victory at her second career start at Sandown-Hillside for trainer Ciaron Maher.
The filly, who showed glimpses of promise when debuting in the Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (Gr 2, 1100m) in February, was ridden by Blake Shinn and settled near the tail before sweeping wide and surging past her rivals to score with authority in the 1300-metre maiden.
Despite a tough run, she reeled in the brave Expulsion (Bivouac) before easing clear late to win by 1.3 lengths, with Lope De Lardo (Belardo) a further three lengths back in third.
“She’s got a good brain and plenty of ability,” rider Blake Shinn told Racing.com.
“She got to the front, idled down and won with a bit in hand – there’s plenty of upside.”
Shinn hinted that the filly could be aimed at the Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) later this year. “She’s got the scope to get out to a mile, her pedigree suggests that. She could be on a Thousand Guineas type of path.”
Bred by Mill Park Stud, Pamela Loxton and David Peacock, the filly was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $675,000 from her breeder’s draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of winning Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Secretly Discreet, herself a half-sister to Group 2 winner Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot).
Darley’s Bivouac will stand for an unchanged fee of $55,000 (inc GST) in 2025.