Everest never a bridge too far for confident Les

5 min read
Randwick trainer Les Bridge has been telling all and sundry for months that Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) would win the $15 million The TAB Everest and his prophecy came true in thrilling style on Saturday.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Bridge took an unconventional training approach to fulfil his prediction with Classique Legend and it proved a masterstroke with the grey powering to victory in the richest turf race on the planet for Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho.

While many of his sprinting peers were enjoying time out during the winter, Classique Legend had been kept in work with a winning outing in the Listed June S. to keep him ticking along.

Bridge then started to get more serious and sent the 5-year-old to land the G2 The Shorts last month and a runner-up finish in the G2 Premiere S. earlier this month had him strip at his very best on Saturday.

“I’ve been telling everyone for three months he would win. One of my greatest friends was Percy Sykes, who I spent a lot of time with, and he said it’s all in the genes,” he said.

“Some horses just get more of the good genes and I’m just repeating his words. This horse had got a girth on him that deep and a V8 motor, he’s unbelievable.”

“This horse had got a girth on him that deep and a V8 motor, he’s unbelievable.” – Les Bridge

Classique Legend has twice been booked on a flight to Hong Kong, but in a year turned upside down by the COVID-19 outbreak he remained in Bridge’s care.

“He’ll still probably go, but we’ll see what happens – we kidnapped him last time,” he said.

Among Bridge’s finest training triumphs has been G1 Melbourne Cup success with Kensei (NZ) (Blarney Kiss {USA}) and a G1 Golden Slipper S. with Sir Dapper (Vain) and while he considers Classique Legend his best horse, first place in his heart goes to his multiple Group 1 winner Hot Danish (Nothin Leica Dane).

“The horse I got the most pleasure out of in my life was Hot Danish because my wife was dying of cancer and every time that horse won it gave her a lift so there will never be a horse to replace Hot Danish in my sentiments,” he said.

Bred by Wallings Bloodstock, Classique Legend was offered by Tyreel Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and was bought by Carmel Size on behalf of Ho for $400,000.

Classique Legend when sold as a yearling

Love at first sight

“He means the world to me and I’ve been obsessed with him since I first laid eyes on him. It’s just so special and I’m so proud of the horse,” she said.

“Les has been so confident, very bullish for such a long time. He’s had an unorthodox preparation so what a marvel Les is, he’s a legend. The horse has been on a flight to Hong Kong twice so the Gods have shone on me and he’s come back.”

“He means the world to me and I’ve been obsessed with him since I first laid eyes on him.” – Carmel Size

Classique Legend settled back in the body of the field, but when rider Kerrin McEvoy got him to the outside he mowed down his rivals to beat Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) by 2.5l with Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) third.

Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) finished fourth ahead of Haut Brion Her (Zoustar), Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and a weakening Nature Strip (Nicconi).

“We jumped out and I got on the back of Trekking and just had to ride my race. At the 600 (metre mark) the leaders were well in front, but full credit to my horse, he was really able to power home,” McEvoy said.

“He did a marvellous job and Les has done a great job and Carmel has looked after him like a baby. It’s been fantastic and it's an unbelievable feeling to win another one.”

McEvoy, of course, won the first two editions of The Everest with Redzel (Snitzel) and stayed with him last year when Nash Rawiller rode Classique Legend into a sixth.

“I was lucky to team up with Redzel and last year was a tough call and this horse was a bit unlucky, but he’s come back even better so it’s extra special.”

Kerrin McEvoy and Classique Legend | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Perfect record defended

It’s Me (Shamus Award) added to her burgeoning reputation when she kept her unbeaten record intact and overcame a midweek scare to land the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko.

The 4-year-old had developed a cough following a swimming session, but hadn’t missed any work and was cleared to start.

It’s Me settled back in the field and had trouble finding a clear run in the straight, but once a gap opened she was into the clear and charged home to beat Redouble (Redoute’s Choice) to make it four wins on the bounce.

“She’s just amazing. She was in traffic and in a black hole and I thought this is it, but gee whiz she did it,” trainer Brett Cavanough said.

Jason Collett has ridden It’s Me in her last three wins and said she had lifted the bar each time at the races.

“Once we were clear I asked her for a bit more and she got the job done. Obviously, this was her biggest test and she’s come through with flying colours, she was impressive. All credit to Brett and his team, they’ve done a great job. She is very smart.”

It's Me after winning The Kosciuszko | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan