Classique Legend has passed his first serious test back from a suspensory injury and while his fitness requires some work, trainer Les Bridge says the 2020 Everest winner is on track to resume in The Shorts.
The seven-year-old finished third behind the speedy Overpass and champion sprinter Nature Strip in a 900m barrier trial at Canterbury on Thursday with race jockey Kerrin Mcevoy in the saddle.
Bridge said the gelding felt the pinch over the final stages, which was expected given he hadn’t raced since last year’s Everest, but importantly Classique Legend came through the hitout sound.
“McEvoy said he blew up about 80 metres out, so he’s not as fit at this stage as I’ve had him in the past because of the time out,” Bridge said.
“I’m going to get him ready for The Shorts. When he won The Shorts (in 2020), I had him spot-on. He might not be spot-on this time, but we’ll do the best we can.
“He is just a fraction behind in fitness, but he will certainly be fit enough for The Everest.”
Bridge confirmed that all being well, Classique Legend would head to The Shorts (1100m) on September 17, then the Premiere Stakes (1200m) on October 1 before tackling The Everest third-up two weeks later.
The Hall Of Fame trainer said he was happy to see Classique Legend be competitive in Thursday’s trial and felt the best part of it was his start.
“The thing I liked about him most was the way he went out of the barrier and how athletic he was,” he said.
“He could have been right up there near the lead, not bad for a seven-year-old that hasn’t raced for 10 months. It was good.”
Overpass showed his usual speed to lead throughout and win the heat by 1-1/4 lengths over Nature Strip, with Classique Legend another 2-1/2 lengths away.
James Mcdonald was happy to let the Royal Ascot winner truck along in the leader’s slipstream and cruise to the line in an ominous sight for his spring rivals.
Fellow Everest contender Lost And Running was allowed to find his feet early and hit the line nicely for fourth.
