Search

show me:

Bridge unlocks another Legend

3 minute read

Celestial Legend has laid a marker for the spring with a classy win at Rosehill.

CELESTIAL LEGEND winning the SCHWEPPES HANDICAP at Rosehill in Australia.
CELESTIAL LEGEND winning the SCHWEPPES HANDICAP at Rosehill in Australia. Picture: Steve Hart

Hall Of Fame trainer Les Bridge looks to have another promising horse on his hands in Celestial Legend, who has a classic pedigree but enough raw ability to be winning races at two. 

After an eye-catching second to $3 million colt Kandinsky Abstract on debut, the Dundeel youngster went one better, justifying his $2.60 favouritism with an emphatic victory in the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. 

The colt revived memories of stablemate Classique Legend, who was also a steely grey colour as a younger horse, and like his Everest-winning stablemate, Celestial Legend has his share of ability. 

"I think he's really good," Bridge said. 

"He's only a baby and it's all ahead of him. 

"I bought him to be a middle-distance horse, he should be in those classic races for three-year-olds next season. 

"He's a magnificent looking horse too." 

While Bridge will look at the winter racing program in Brisbane, Celestial Legend is more likely to be spelled to prepare for a spring campaign. 

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the youngster on Saturday when he was hemmed in behind runners in the straight, but he was able to shoulder clear and attack the line with intent. 

He scored by 1-1/2 lengths over Ostraka ($6) with leader Jagjit ($9) holding on for third another 1-1/4 lengths in arrears. 

Winning rider Dylan Gibbons said Celestial Legend settled well in the run and despite being green, he was a class above his rivals. 

"I was pretty confident the way he was travelling," Gibbons said. 

"Even when he did get there, he pricked his ears and had a look around and still got away from them quite easily. 

"He's still twelve months away. He's lean, there's not much of him, he hasn't fully furnished yet." 

Like Classique Legend, Celestial Legend is raced by Bon Ho and sports his white and red colours. 


Racing and Sports

Rosehill

Saturday, 20th May 2023

1
11:00
(local)

SCHWEPPES HANDICAP

Age: 2yo WT: 54.0kg Type: OPEN
AUD $150,000
1200m TURF SOFT
1
11:00
(local)
AUD $150,000
1200m SOFT

SCHWEPPES HANDICAP

Age: 2yo WT: 54.0kg Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 2. CELESTIAL LEGEND (AUS) 2yo C
DUNDEEL (NZ) - SARRAQA (AUS)
DYLAN GIBBONS
L J BRIDGE
$2.6
55kg
Legend Racing (Mgr: K K Ho)

Sales Information

2nd 7. OSTRAKA (AUS) 2yo C
PARIAH (AUS) - MADAME ANDREE (AUS)
TOM SHERRY
ANNABEL NEASHAM
$6
55.5kg
J B Bongiorno, J R Rawlinson, R P Cocks, N M Oates, N J E Lovett, N P Kutcher, J C E Hetrel, C Christopoulos, J Jacobs, Dean Racing, Tussocks Racing & McEnnis Racing Pty Ltd

Sales Information

3rd 5. JAGJIT (AUS) 2yo G
JUSTIFY (USA) - INGLORIOUS (CAN)
JEAN VAN OVERMEIRE
G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT
$9
56kg
Kia Ora 2009 (Mgr: R W Rose), Bates Racing (Mgr: S J Bates), Dorrington Farm (Mgr: R J Crabtree), Australia Pacific Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: A J Curran), I D Chambers, D K Poisel & A M Kerr

Sales Information

4th 1. NAMESAKE (AUS) 2yo C
MAURICE (JPN) - BANKSIA (AUS)
REGAN BAYLISS
CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE
$5.5
58.5kg

Sales Information

5th 8. GRIFF (AUS) 2yo C
TRAPEZE ARTIST (AUS) - CHATEAU GRIFFO (AUS)
ROBBIE DOLAN
CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE
$31
55kg

Sales Information

6th 4. GALANO (AUS) 2yo C
SNITZEL (AUS) - STAR FASHION (AUS)
TYLER SCHILLER
M, W & J HAWKES
$13
56kg

Sales Information

7th 3. SUPER NEWS (AUS) 2yo G
YOUR SONG (AUS) - WONDERFUL NEWS (AUS)
JAY FORD
KIM WAUGH
$11
56.5kg
8th 6. JOEY D'OR (AUS) 2yo G
PARIAH (AUS) - KALI (GER)
RACHEL KING
BJORN BAKER
$8
56kg

Sales Information

What’s gambling really costing you?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au