The French-bred import Land Legend (FR) earned Chris Waller a sixth win in the James Squire Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick, a first Group 1 for Reece Jones and an astonishing 102nd Group 1 winner for Galileo, but it did not come without drama.
In a titanic battle with Godolphin’s 4-year-old Kingman mare Zardozi, the Bon Ho colour-bearer retained the rail after a nail-biting period in the steward’s room.
The winner’s stablemate, Unusual Legacy (Unusual Suspect), was three and a half lengths back in third.
Previously trained in Europe by James Ferguson, the lightly raced Land Legend (FR) advances his record to three wins and two seconds from 12 starts with earnings of $762,942.
“The writing was on the wall when he won a St Leger. Mr Ho has taken his time with him, James Ferguson handed the reins over to us, and he’s just been given plenty of time,” Waller said.
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“We picked this race out six months ago and said we’ll do it third-up and make sure we’ve still got something left for the rest of the spring.
“When it was a hard-fought finish, I just wondered whether his condition would hold out because he’s actually quite a gross horse, he’s a bit of a bulldog. And he was tough the last 100m.
“I didn’t realise it was his first Group 1 win. I just love Sydney riders, he’s here 52 weeks of the year working hard, and he’s a natural lightweight. It’s great. That’s what these carnivals are about; they give young jockeys, young trainers, confidence.”
Jones said it went smoothly after an indifferent start.
“That’s unbelievable. When he was a little bit tardy into stride and a little bit further back than where I wanted to be I thought it was just going to be a little bit tougher. I just had to keep my cool, let him build into it,” Jones said.
“I knew when I found the back of Zardozi, I’d be right in the finish. She took me everywhere I needed to go. I didn’t want to trust his turn of foot against her so I just made sure he was up and mobile, similar to when he won the St Leger. He was terrific and tough then, to come here and do the same again today, credit to the Waller camp, they’ve got him absolutely spot on for today.
“It’s a little bit surreal. I’ve been waiting for this day for a while. I’ve got my partner Sam here today.
“I’m just thankful to Bon Ho and the Waller team for keeping their faith in me and letting me ride him today.
“I’ve kind of waited my turn. It’s surreal, don’t get me wrong. I’m not the emotional type, but this is fantastic. I can’t be more happier.”
A €100,000 purchase for Avenue Bloodstock from the Monceaux draft at the 2021 Arqana October Yearling Sale, Land Legend is the best of three winners from as many to race for the winning Dansili mare Landikusic, a sister to Group 1 Phoenix stakes winner and former shuttler Zoffany and a half-sister to Group II winner and multiple Group 1-placed Rostropovich (Frankel), and Group III winner Wilshire Boulevard (Holy Roman Emperor).
Land Legend is the 102nd G1 winner for the legend, Galileo.
