By Ray Hickson
In the week trainer Les Bridge welcomes his stable star Classique Legend back to the track he’s enthusiastic about the future of a pair of debutants at Kensington on Wednesday.
Classique Legend, an unlucky sixth in the 2019 TAB Everest, is due to have a winter cameo in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) on Saturday before being set for the $15 million feature in October.
The Legend name has a new addition in the shape of Dundeel three-year-old Legend Has It who steps out for the first time in the Microphone @ Darley Handicap (1400m) while an Adelaide gelding called The Denzel debuts in the Magna Grecia @ Coolmore Australia Handicap (1100m).
Bridge said he’s confident both newcomers have excellent long term prospects though warns he’s not expecting first-up wins.
Legend Has It cost owner Bon Ho $500,000 at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sales and the gelding has pleased Bridge in his two barrier trials leading into a 1400m debut.
“He’s a lovely horse. He’s a nice type, well bred and will probably get over a bit of ground,’’ Bridge said.
“The jockey (Kerrin McEvoy) was pleased with the trial, it is a bit hard to tell in barrier trials because they didn’t go that hard but I was happy with him.
Legend Has It runs fourth in a Randwick trial on May 15
“I don’t know if he can win that race but he goes good. He’ll get back a bit and come to the outside and hopefully come home all right.’’
The Denzel is a two-year-old bred by part-owner Kim Harding, a long time supporter of the Bridge stable, and finished just behind the placings in a 1040m trial won by Edmond on May 15.
Bridge expects The Denzel to find 1100m a bit sharp but, like with Legend Has It, is confident he has some ability.
“He’s going to get over ground as well. I don’t know whether they are quite slick enough but are both nice horses,’’ he said.
“I think down the track they’ll be all right.”
Legend Has It was an $11 chance with TAB on Tuesday while The Denzel rated $13.
Bridge said he can have more confidence in promising filly Madam Legend’s chances in the Ranvet Power Formula Handicap (1550m) after trialling to his liking last week.
Madam Legend ($10) won twice at Newcastle to kick off her preparation and in both races she sat on the speed whereas at Warwick Farm at her latest start, on May 13, she was put out of her comfort zone when beaten less than three lengths by Starla.
“She didn’t have much room at the finish, she was getting baulked all the time. In the last 80m she had nowhere to go,’’ Bridge said.
“I thought she trialled really well because she doesn’t like heavy ground and I think she will run well.’’
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Kensington meeting