 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
The 2020 Everest was memorable for many different reasons - but for Hall of Fame trainer Les Bridge, it was simply because his Classique Legend ran riot by two and a half lengths under Kerrin McEvoy.
The year before, he had had a luckless trip through the race, unable to find a run and only beaten two and a half lengths. 2020 was a redemption mission, a win well deserved for a horse whose trainer said was "the best in the world" when it came to sprinters.
With only 15 races in his career, it is probably fair to say that we did not see the best of Classique Legend,an opinion that Bridge certainly has, "It's just a shame that he's never got to fulfil his true potential".
A horse who had some niggles throughout his career, it was a suspensory ligament issue that finally saw connections call time on the grey/bay when it came to seeing him back on the track. "It was not unexpected. He has had trouble for about 18 months. We have been trying to rehabilitate him. So, we knew it was always a risk. So it did not come as a shock."
If not for the injury, could we have seen Classique Legend follow in the hoof-prints of Redzel and win The Everest for a second time? Bridge tries to play it coy - "Well, one never knows. But it is quite a possibility that he would have." Given the visual impression of his 2020 success, it would be a brave man to have come down fully on the side that he would not have won a second, that is for sure.
He was fifth in that attempt at doubling up in 2021, beaten two lengths at the line by Nature Strip. Given that he had not been seen in action since the previous December in Hong Kong, ten months prior, it was a monster of an effort from the gallant gelding. A clearer prep, and who knows?
The great news is that he will enjoy his retirement with someone who knows him well. "Kerrin McEvoy and his wife have taken him as a saddle horse, and they will use him, and they have a couple of kids, and they will take him later on. He is going to a really good home." A good home after racing is so important for horses of any ability, so it is excellent that connections have made sure that he will be well looked after.
As for this year’s Everest, Bridge is firmly in the Giga Kickcamp, feeling that last year’s winner is good enough to follow up in 2023 for trainer Clayton Douglas.
 |  |
While he retirement of a stable star is never easy for any yard, Bridge has another potentially smart type for Bon Ho (the owner of Classique Legend) in the shape of Celestial Legend plus several unraced 2YO including Charming Legend.
However, all eyes will be on Celestial Legend this season after he produced an eye-catching debut at Canterbury in early May. Held up a long way back over 1200m, he did a lot of good work late in the piece to finish second, beaten a touch under a length and a quarter. Kandinsky Abstract was the winner that day, who was sent off at $5.00 in Group Three on his only subsequent start.
He broke his maiden tag at the second time of asking in May at Rosehill. Sent off as favourite, he showed the benefit of that debut, running out a comfortable winner. Group Three company is where Bridge is looking to unleash Celestial Legend this spring.
"He was always going to have a light preparation because he is probably a little bit backward, and we were just going to give him a run in a couple of minor races this time. Group Three something like that. We will see when the time comes how he is, but he won't really take on the good ones."
While no big prizes are targeted yet, Bridge seems to like Celestial Legend for the future - "He is a very promising horse. He is actually bred to run over a distance, but he is a horse with a lot of natural speed - we will just have to start up in the 1000m races."
There is plenty of racing to happen between now and when the 2024 field of The Everestslots into their barriers at Randwick, but it would not be a massive shock if Celestial Legend ends up being one of them.
He is clearly in the right hands to progress through his 3YO campaign this season, and from there, the sky is potentially the limit. Nobody will deny a Hall of Famer with a resume of the likes that Bridge can proudly display another chance at having the best sprinter in the world.
By Scott McGlynn