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Les Bridge says Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend is set for a spell

Hall Of Fame trainer Les Bridge has indicated the Cox Plate or Golden Eagle would be suitable targets for Celestial Legend in the spring.

Mitch Cohen
6 min read
April 7, 2024 - 4:10PM
Celestial Legend and Tyler Schiller after the Doncaster.
Celestial Legend and Tyler Schiller after the Doncaster.

Les Bridge will resist the temptation to backup Doncaster Mile hero Celestial Legend in Saturday’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes with the Hall Of Fame trainer set to focus on the spring.

The Randwick conditioner had contemplated a surprise Queen Elizabeth Stakes tilt following his new stable star’s dramatic victory in the Doncaster on Saturday.

But Bridge has decided to give his star colt a well deserved break despite Celestial Legend pulling up in perfect order the morning after his career best triumph at Royal Randwick.

“He pulled up really well, you wouldn’t know he has had a run really,” Bridge said.

“It was an amazing win but that’s what he can do and it certainly didn’t surprise me.

“He is good horse and Tyler (Schiller) rode him really well on Saturday. I think we will give him a break now, he deserves it.”

Celestial Legend delivered on his promise during a remarkable autumn carnival campaign that also saw him win a Group 2 Hobartville Stakes and Group 1 Randwick Guineas before his Doncaster success.

The smart son of Dundeel has developed into one of Australia’s most exciting horses and will head into the spring later this year with a plethora of options available to him.

Bridge believes Celestial Legend is versatile and talented enough to be competitive at multiple distances but revealed the two main races connections will consider.

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“I will talk to the owner (Bon Ho) and he keeps talking about the Golden Eagle but I am more inclined to think he is a Cox Plate horse,” Bridge said.

“We won’t worry about that right now and will see how he spells. We can deal with that hurdle when we come to it.

“He would run 2000m on his ear and I think you could probably train the horse to sprint if you concentrated on it.”

The Cox Plate (2040m) will be run at The Valley on October 26 while the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) is staged a week later at Rosehill Gardens.

Bridge, 85, still dreams of winning a Cox Plate after coming closest with Drawn finishing third behind Rising Prince in the weight-for-age classic in 1985.

On Sunday, Bridge was out at Inglis Riverside complex looking for his next star as the first day of the Easter Yearling Sale took place.

Celestial Legend was purchased at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $220,000.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

CIRCLE OF FIRE (race 2)

Ciaron Maher’s import looks like a talented stayer and he certainly showed it with a strong sustained effort to win the Chairman’s Quality. He’s got to be a major player in Saturday’s Sydney Cup.

FIRESTORM (race 3)

The former Kiwi filly worked through the line nicely to finish fourth in the Carbine Club Stakes. She’s still only lightly raced and tipping she will be competitive during the Brisbane Winter Carnival over a bit further.

AHURIRI (race 4)

There was plenty of nice fillies going through their gears in the Adrian Knox but I loved the way this Chris Waller-trained galloper surged late. She looks to be a classy staying filly in the making.

I WISH I WIN (race 7)

He was excellent first up on a heavy track to finish a close third in the T J Smith Stakes, just peaking on his run late. He will take plenty of improvement from that and they will have a task ahead to beat him in the All Aged.

AUGUST BLOOM (race 10)

Jockey Tommy Berry went back from a wide gate and didn’t have the clearest passage in the straight but was excellent when she got clear air inside the final 200m. Keen to back her next start over 1400m.

STEWARDS SAY

Verona (race 2): Failed to finish off as expected and made an abnormal respiratory noise pulling up. Was found to have no abnormalities post-race but will have an endoscopic examination.

Bandi’s Boy (race 5): Jockey Jay Ford said the gelding didn’t travel at at any stage and blundered on a couple of occasions midrace. A post-race veterinary examination found him to be 2/5 lame in the near foreleg and he will now be spelled.

Storm Boy (race 6): Raced keenly and shifted out to travel wide without cover round the home turn. James McDonald felt the performance had merit under the circumstances but the colt is expected to be spelled.

Lady Laguna (race 8): Came under heavy pressure in the home straight and gave ground from the 300m. Jockey Michael Dee felt the mare had come to the end of her preparation after no abnormalities were found.

Cigar Flick (race 10): Became fractious and cast its off-fore plate before passing a veterinary examination to earn a start. Was found to have a superficial laceration to the off-hind medial cannon.

CRUNCH TIME

Espiona (race 7): Settled last and found a few roadblocks in the straight but still clocked the fast last 600m of the T J Smith Stakes. She surged home in 34.19 seconds to finish less than a length off the winner.

Celestial Legend (race 8): Tyler Schiller had to expertly weave a passage before this colt surged late to win the Doncaster, running 35.19 seconds for his last 600m. His 11.83 final furlong won him the race.

Ceolwulf (race 9): Ran a better final 400m than Riff Rocket but couldn’t reel him in thanks to a super James McDonald ride. Made his move down the centre while running 11.79 and 12.68 seconds for the final two furlongs.

Facile (race 10): A 13.54 seconds first 200m proved crucial in giving the filly a clear lead in the final event that she was able to hold onto. Ran her last 600m in a modest 35.37 seconds but won the race from in front.

TRACK TALK

“Everyone said you don’t win Doncasters with a month between runs – but I know this horse, know what he can do.” Les Bridge on Celestial Legend.

“They say you only get one good horse in your lifetime, I keep getting them, I don’t know why,” Bridge again.

“Someone once told me I’d bite off more than I can chew, but I’d rather choke on greatness than nibble on mediocrity.” Tyler Schiller.

“I don’t cry as much as I used to but this one’s pretty special.” Chris Waller after Riff Rocket’s Australian Derby win.

“It wasn’t quite the one I thought (would win), I was looking at Wish (I Wish I Win) steaming down the outside.” Peter Moody on Chain Of Lightning.

“With Bandi’s Boy in the field, I thought we were all running for second to be truthful but we couldn’t have her any better.” Doug Gorrel on Asgarda.

YOU CAN BET ON IT

Celestial Legend held 16% of the money compared to favourite Another Wil 20%. Punters got on at $5,000 @ $6.50, $3,000 @ $6.50 and $2,500 e-w @ $6.50/$2.25 multiple times.

Riff Rocket held 45% on the cash despite the pre-jump drift from $2-$2.25 in the Australian Derby. Some massive bets were landed of $12,000 @ $2.15, $11,000 @ $2.20, $5,000 @ $2.15 and multiple separate $2,000 bets from the $3.50 opening price, through to $2.20.

Chain Of Lightning held under 2% of the outlays in the TJ Smith Stakes. Bets of $200 e-w @ $23/$5 and some $300 bets @ $26 were taken

THE SCHEDULE

Monday: Kempsey, Tamworth

Tuesday: Kembla Grange, Ballina

Wednesday: Gosford

Thursday: Wyong, Nowra

Friday: Wellington, Canberra

Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle, Grenfell, Casino, Holbrook

Sunday: Grafton, Wellington

RON DUFFICY’S ROYAL RANDWICK SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY

As predicted by trainer Les Bridge 3yo Celestial Legend was right up to the top grade beating the older horses in our feature handicap of the year with style.

It was a magnificent effort from all involved including a cool calm ride from Tyler Schiller.

FORGET THEY RAN

Rapbidash found nice cover early in the Country Championship Final but when she needed to extend things didn’t happen and she should have got a whole lot closer at the finish.

THE BLACK BOOK

Ex Kiwi filly Firestorm was up in class but did more than enough to say she is one to follow especially when she returns to her own sex while on a hard day for horses resuming I Wish I Win did more than enough moving forward at the top sprinting level.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Supporters of Ceolwulf were left feeling ill when James McDonald on Riff Rocket switched back inside saving 4 lengths on the turn.

It was typical of a champion jockey at the top of his game.

Originally published as Les Bridge says Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend is set for a spell

Read related topics:Queen Elizabeth

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/les-bridge-says-doncaster-mile-winner-celestial-legend-is-set-for-a-spell/news-story/db420f7d0c2ff7ff4526839b5f4b54e2