Classique’s legend secure after brave title defence
THE burning question following The Everest had to be: would Classique Legend have defended his title with a more ideal preparation.
It had been a turbulent 12 months since Classique Legend romped in; a bleeding attack to overcome and a trip to and back from Hong Kong where he wasn’t his usual self.
But the grey champ showed he still had it when he came from well back to run a creditable fifth behind Nature Strip.
Classique Legend was only two lengths from the winner in the end which begs the question: would he have won had he come into the race third-up like he did last year.
“It’s hard to say, isn’t it?” jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.
“First-up was not the scenario Les (Bridge, trainer) wanted but that’s how it unfolded and we had to work with it. We had a bit to do to get him to the races and Les and the whole team did a great job.”
McEvoy knows Classique Legend better than most and he knew things weren’t ideal for the horse but praised his fighting qualities after the race.
“It was good run,” he said.
“He came home well after we got a bit further back than I thought we would.”
It was obvious a long way from home that Classique Legend wasn’t the same horse who won The Everest by 2½ lengths in 2020. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be a huge force in the Australian sprinting ranks in the next 12 months.
Classique Legend was near last at the 300m but finished off like he still had big-race wins in him.
“It was a solid pace and I didn’t probably travel as well as I did last year in the race,” McEvoy said.
“I pressed the button and he moved into it and he’s run a gallant fifth so it was a good effort by the horse.”