Bridge predicts big future for Classique

Trainer Les Bridge hopes Classique Legend is not lost to Australia after he runs at Randwick.

Les Bridge doesn’t know how long Classique Legend will be in his stable but if the horse does stay in Australia, he has no doubt the sky is the limit.

Classique Legend will line up in the Group Two Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday before a decision is made whether he follows former barn mate Southern Legend to Hong Kong where the pair’s owner Boniface Ho is based.

Bridge is clearly hoping to keep the horse in Australia and believes Classique Legend has the potential to develop into a top sprinter.

“I train a lot of horses for him (Ho) and every now and then he’ll pick one out and take it to Hong Kong. The last one was Southern Legend,” Bridge said.

“I’m actually hoping this one is too good to go to Hong Kong with the sprint races we’ve got here.

“I think he’s a real good horse.”

Classique Legend made an immediate impression on the racetrack winning his first two starts by a combined 8-1/2 lengths.

He had his colours lowered for the first time in the Darby Munro Stakes but lost no admirers when he fought hard to finish third after racing three-wide on the speed.

Kerrin McEvoy was questioned by stewards about his tactics but Bridge had no issue with the ride given the wet track and, in the end, stewards did not lay blame at the jockey’s feet either.

“He got out there and they kicked up on the inside,” Bridge said.

“He just wasn’t travelling well enough in the going to press on and lead, so he (McEvoy) just tried to hold him together.

“I gave him three weeks to get over it. I guess you never know until you back them up but to me, I think he’s fine.”

The Arrowfield has attracted a smart field including Coolmore Stud Stakes runner-up Zousain, New Zealander Avantage, and Baller, who drops back to his own age after finishing fifth in The Galaxy last start.