Strong trial has The Everest winner Classique Legend ready for return

The Everest winner Classique Legend looks ready to put an forgettable start to life overseas behind him, producing a glimpse of his best at Hong Kong trials on Tuesday.

The stunning grey was in cruise control under the watchful eye of Aussie star hoop Zac Purton as he eased to a comfortable trial victory by 3-3/4 lengths at Sha Tin.

While it may have only be a barrier trial, it was a welcome sight all the same after the former Les Bridge-trained galloper’s misfiring start to his career Asian racing jurisdiction.

This morning's trial in full… ?

Classique Legend (@zpurton) leads home the field, while Southern Legend (@KarisTeetan) & Golden Sixty (@Vincenthocy) cross the line with ease. ? #HKracingpic.twitter.com/lgwNuGrtXN

Classique Legend looked a shadow of the horse that ran away with the 2020 The Everest at Randwick at his only overseas start in the Hong Kong International Sprint last December.

The son of Not A Single Doubt was never in the hunt, finishing 11th in the Group 1 before it was later discovered to be lame in the off-fore and sent for a spell.

Tuesday’s trial was Classique Legend’s second this month – he also won his first convincingly earlier this month.

Jockey Zac Purton on Aethero. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

It was also Purton’s first public steer on the gelding, with the Hong Kong premiership winning jockey committing to ride Classique Legend in his return in the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on April 5.

“We all saw it, he jumped out well, travelled well and did everything right,” Purton told the South China Morning Post.

“There is certainly a fair bit of improvement in him you’d think.

“I was happy with it, he is a lovely horse.

“He has a really good nature and has a lot of similarities with Aethero in the way he is built, the way he moves so I am familiar with that a little bit and it was good to feel it again.”

Purton plans to remain on Classique Legend as he targets a maiden Group 1 success in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize on April 25.

Originally published asClassique Legend back on track in trial win

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