Classique Legend appears to have run his last race in Australia with trainer Les Bridge all but resigned to losing the horse to Hong Kong.
Bridge revealed at Randwick on Saturday that Classique Legend had not returned to his stable and while the international transfer had yet to be confirmed, the veteran trainer was not hopeful.
Classique Legend finished a luckless sixth to Yes Yes Yes in The Everest and had fortune favoured him in that race, Bridge said the sprinter would have remained in Australia.
“I think he is going to Hong Kong,” Bridge said.
“We might have seen the last of him.
“He had no luck in The Everest. If he had got that run and been right in the finish it could have been different.”
The four-year-old is owned by the Hong Kong-based Bon Ho and there has always been a possibility Classique Legend would eventually be transferred to the Asian racing centre.
The horse is regarded as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters having won three of his eight starts and more than $1.4 million prize money.
Bridge did have some joy at Randwick with the heavily-backed Helga taking out the Schweppes Handicap (1500m) for apprentice Chris Williams.
“Chris has filled a niche here,” Bridge said.
“He’s a heavyweight apprentice and on these horse with big weights he rides well.
“He assessed the pace beautifully. It was a great ride and rides win races.”
Starting a $2.70 favourite, Helga scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Asharani ($5) with another three-quarters of a length to Statuesquely ($4).