Latest News

By Ray Hickson

A strong gallop earlier in the week gave trainer Les Bridge confidence he has exciting colt Celestial Legend right where he wants him for his Group 1 test at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Les Bridge (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The clash between the rising star and multiple Group 1 winner Militarize is shaping as a big one in the Group 1 $1m The Agency Randwick Guineas (1600m) and while Bridge said he’s left a little in the tank he couldn’t have his colt going any better.

Celestial Legend worked over 1200m on Tuesday morning and was clocked by fellow Randwick trainer John Thompson to run his final two furlongs (400m) in 23 seconds.

“You like to see them work well coming up to a big race,’’ Bridge said.

“A cardinal sin for a trainer is to send a horse into a Group 1 not fit. I wanted to give him a good hit out and he had it.

“I’d like to think he’s got a bit of improvement in him yet. I’m pleased with him anyway.

“I just think he’s a horse that the more he matures the better he’ll get.”

A lot was made of the fact Bridge was on course at Rosehill, along with owner Bon Ho, to watch Celestial Legend win the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by a big space and both will again be trackside on Saturday.

Bridge doesn’t quite speak about the three-year-old in the same terms as his Everest winner Classique Legend but he is adamant that, as it was with the former star, he could be something special in time.

“He’s always been a little behind the eight ball,’’ Bridge said.

“Classique Legend wasn’t an early maturer, he didn’t race at two, showed a bit of form at three and four then at five he was terrific. This horse could be the same, if he races that long.

“I’ve had a lot of good horses and there are certain characteristics you see in horses right from the start.

“His demeanour, he’s got a beautiful fluent action, good temperament, all the things you need in a good horse. We’re just scraping the surface.”

Kerrin McEvoy produced a gem of a ride in the Hobartville from a tricky gate and will again be faced with an outside alley in the Guineas.

If he comes out on top there’s every chance Bridge will point Celestial Legend, $4 with TAB on Thursday, toward the Group 1 $4m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) where he’s weighted on 49kg.

“I think a mile might be his distance, he’s such a thick horse, I wouldn’t be surprised if he can sprint a bit,’’ Bridge said.

“If he ran well or won I think I’d rather go to a Doncaster with a light weight than the Rosehill Guineas. Might as well have a throw at the stumps.”

Celestial Legend wins at Rosehill on February 24

Amy McLucas is back on board Invincible Legend in the Midway Handicap (1600m) with Bridge happy to forget the galloper’s last start failure.

The four-year-old produced a late burst to win two starts ago over the same course with McLucas steering but was right out of his comfort zone when up to 1900m at Canterbury and forced to race wide near the speed.

“He needs a couple of kilos off his back, he’s got to be ridden quiet and the other night it was just awful. He was too close,’’ Bridge said.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting