Last year’s Everest winner Classique Legend showed he was on track to defend his title with an impressive trial win at Randwick on Friday morning where 14 heats were contested including one for 2YO’s that was won by a colt by champion sire Snitzel.
Les Bridge elected to send Classique Legend back to the trials following his first up trial win on September 10 over Lost and Running and we saw a fitter, sharper conveyance this time around.
He let loose with his trademark change of gear over the final furlong to win by two and a half lengths clocking 33.42 for his final 600m of the 1050m heat.
Classique Legend is expected to return to the races now in the Group II ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 2.
The TAB Fixed Odds market for The Everest has Nature Strip as the $4.50 favourite ahead of Classique Legend at $6. The Shorts winner Eduardo and Masked Crusader are $7 chance with Gytrash at $8, Rothfire at $9 and Lost And Running at $15.
John Thompson produced the winner of the two year-old heat with Snitzel colt Nipotino proving a narrow winner over I Am Invincible filly Kobenhavn.
A $280,000 Inglis Easter purchase for his trainer from the Kitchwin Hills draft, Nipotino is the first foal of former slick stakes-placed Nicconi mare Nieta, who was also trained by Thompson.
Click here to see all the trial results at Breednet with Sale Mail and at Racing NSW with video.