The Everest winner Classique Legend has drawn ideally as he prepares to take on a global field of sprinters in Hong Kong.
The grey came up with gate one at Wednesday’s barrier draw for the Group One International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
He will have 13 rivals, headed by local galloper Hot King Prawn, who drew barrier five.
Japanese rivals Tower Of London and Danon Smash, who also sit high in early markets, both came up with wide gates in 12 and 14 respectively.
Formerly trained at Randwick by Les Bridge, Classique Legend emerged as one of Australia’s brightest stars when he won the Group Two The Shorts and $15 million The Everest during a lucrative spring.
His Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho subsequently transferred him to trainer Caspar Fownes with the goal of campaigning him in the best sprint races around the world.
