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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Les Bridge has 2020 Everest champ Classique Legend exactly where he wants him to be, under the circumstances, six weeks out from what he calls “Judgment Day” for the popular grey.

A day after the seven-year-old made his first public appearance since an injury sustained in last year’s edition of the nation’s premier sprint, Bridge responded on Queensland’s RadioTAB to claims Classique Legend’s barrier trial at Canterbury was disappointing.

And he wasn’t backward in coming forward about his thoughts on the horse’s third placing behind Overpass and Nature Strip in the 900m gallop.

“The track was heavy and he’s probably behind some of those horses condition wise,’’ Bridge said.

“Nature Strip’s got residual fitness from being in England and (Overpass) won a trial the other day by 10 lengths. Lost And Running’s had a trial.

“It just amazes me that anyone could say he was disappointing.

“(Kerrin McEvoy) said he got tired the last 50m and that’s probably because of the going. He actually went a bit better than I thought he would.”

Bridge said he refuses to go into panic mode and rush Classique Legend to peak fitness.

1⃣Overpass
2⃣Nature Strip
3⃣Classique Legend
4⃣Lost And Running

Plenty of #TABEverest interest in the opening heat from Thursday's Canterbury trials, and it was an all the way win to the @BBakerRacing four-year-old in 55.49. @tabcomau @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/UTC6Q6BbzU

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 31, 2022

This means when he finally steps out on the racetrack in the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on September 17 he admits the gelding will be vulnerable.

He plans to run in the Group 2 $1 million Premiere Stakes (1200m) two weeks later and is adamant on TAB Everest Day he will be ready to win with no excuses fitness wise.

“I won’t try to train him right up for the Shorts, I’ll get him as fit as I can get him within his comfort zone,’’ he said.

“He’s had a lot of inactivity this horse, you have a look at his record, he’s had a lot of time off and at that level you’ve got to be fined tuned.

“I’ll probably use the two lead up races to get him fine tuned for the Everest.

“Everest Day will be his judgment. If he fails then he’s disappointing.”

Classique Legend pulled up well from the trial, though Bridge said he was sporting a black eye likely from being hit by a clod.

He stayed on the $11 line in TAB’s all-in Everest market following the hitout but the market will be in for a shake up after the Shorts when Nature Strip, Lost And Running, Eduardo, Mazu and Everest hopeful Overpass appear among his rivals.

“I’ll have a better idea after the Shorts. If I don’t think he goes well I’ll say so. There’s nowhere to hide out on the racetrack,’’ Bridge said.

The grey is assured of a place in the TAB Everest field as owner Bon Ho holds a slot.

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