A luckless sixth in The Everest 12 months ago, the Les Bridge-trained Classique Legend showed he is right on track for this year’s $15 million feature with a barnstorming win in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II The Shorts (1200m) at Randwick, prompting his veteran trainer to declare the son of Not A Single Doubt the best he has trained.
With Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, Classic Legend had just one of the 12 runners behind him with 200 metres left to run. When pulled out to the centre of the track the 5yo grey gelding produced a withering burst of acceleration to defeat Eduardo (Host) by a length with Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) a head back in third.
In winning his third stakes race, Classique Legend advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 10 starts with earnings of $1,792,500.
“It doesn’t surprise,” Bridge said.
“He’s the best horse I’ve ever trained. Couldn’t do much better than that could you? Some have got four-cylinder motors, he’s got a V8, that’s the difference.”
When prompted Bridge declared Classic Legend a better horse than Sir Dapper who at the respective stage of their careers had won a Golden Slipper, Spring Champion Stakes, Canterbury Stakes, Gloaming Stakes, Peter Pan Stakes, Expressway Stakes, Hobartville Stakes, San Domenico Stakes, Skyline Stakes and Up And Coming Stakes.
Classique Legend, who topped the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, completed a great day for Tyreel Stud after Behemoth claimed the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Like Behemoth, Classique Legend was bred by the Monds’ family owned Wallings Bloodstock at Tyreel Stud.
The son of Not A Single Doubt was purchased for $400,000 by Carmel Size on behalf of Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho.
He is a year older half-brother to the Hong Kong flyer Aethero (Sebring) winner of the Group II Hong Kong Sprint, out of the Encosta de Lago mare Pinocchio, a winning full sister to champion miler Racing to Win.
Pinocchio has a 2yo colt named Fairy Legend in training with Gary and John Moore after being purchased by Legend Racing for $1.1 million out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The cash registers will have to remain silent next year as Pinocchio missed in 2018 despite liaisons with Capitalist, Pierro and Merchant Navy but get ready for some fireworks if the I Am Invincible filly Pinocchio foaled on August 20 heads to the sales in 2022.
