Trainer keen to bridge the gap again with 3YO

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Promising 3-year-old Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) is following a path previously followed with success by another Les Bridge-trained representative and the similarities don’t end there.

He will be attempting to keep his unbeaten record intact when he makes his first black type appearance in the Listed Camera House Darby Munro S. at Rosehill on Saturday.

The well-related Classique Legend hasn’t been tested in either of his outings to date and should he complete a hat-trick of wins he will emulate the 2016 achievement of Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt).

Trainer Les Bridge

“They’re both by the same sire and both showed a lot of ability right from the start,” Bridge said.

“They’re both by the same sire and both showed a lot of ability right from the start.” – Les Bridge.

“They are very similar types of horses so it’s interesting and hopefully this one can win on Saturday as well.”

Southern Legend won four races and twice finished third in Group 2 company before he relocated to Caspar Fownes’ Hong Kong yard.

He has made his mark there with a further five wins – including a trip away to claim the SIN-1 Kranji Mile last year – and placings in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup, the G1 Stewards’ Cup and the G1 Hong Kong Mile.

A $280,000 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale buy, Southern Legend is a son of Donna’s Appeal (Carnegie {Ire}), who is out of the Listed Gimcrack S. winner Donna Natalia (Anabaa {USA}).

“His two wins have been really good and I think this is a natural progression.” - Les Bridge.

He hails from the family of the G1 Galaxy H. winner and successful sire Charge Forward (Red Ransom {USA}) and the dual Group 2 winner Kidman’s Cove (Marscay).

Not A Single Doubt

Classique Legend was a Hawkesbury trial winner before he made the perfect debut on the Kensington track at Randwick in February and stepped out there again earlier this month for a six length victory.

He has been ridden in all appearances by Kerrin McEvoy, who will continue his association with the gelding at Rosehill.

“His two wins have been really good and I think this is a natural progression,” Bridge said.

“You’ve got to throw them in at the deep end eventually. There’s not much else around for him anyway.”

“You’ve got to throw them in at the deep end eventually.” – Les Bridge.

Bridge said Classique Legend had the temperament to match the talent the grey displayed early on in his education.

“He’s always showed above average ability and he’s a laid back horse. Nothing seems to worry him.”

No future plan has been made for the Hong Kong-owned Classique Legend, Bridge preferring to see what eventuates on Saturday.

“I’ll just take it step by step with him,” he said. “I would like to see him on a drier track, although it was a slow track when he had his first start.

"I think he will handle it, it’s just the slow ground takes their acceleration away.” – Les Bridge.

“A lot of the Not A Single Doubts get through the wet. I think he will handle it, it’s just the slow ground takes their acceleration away. It can be a bit of a leveller.”

Classique Legend as a yearling

Classique Legend was offered by Tyreel Stud at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and went to the bid of Carmel Size for $400,000. She manages the thoroughbred interests of owner Boniface Ho, who also races Southern Legend.

A half-brother to the multiple winner Puppet Master (Foxwedge), Classique Legend is a son of Pinocchio (Encosta De Lago) who is a sister to the five-time Group 1 winner Racing To Win and a half-sister to the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Purrealist (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).

The family also features the G1 Metropolitan H. winner Herculian Prince (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) and the G2 Magic Night S. winner Mardi’s Magic (Kenny’s Best Pal).