Trainer Les Bridge confident Celestial Legend can improve again ahead of Group 1 Randwick Guineas test
Les Bridge says Celestial Legend couldn’t be any better heading into the Group 1 Randwick Guineas at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
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Hall of Famer Les Bridge is adamant he hasn’t got to the bottom of Celestial Legend as his smart colt attempts to deliver on his boundless potential in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Bridge has been in the training game for more than 60 years and knows a good horse when he sees one but has been patient to allow Celestial Legend to show he is a top-line galloper.
The son of Dundeel will get the chance to prove his trainer right in a competitive edition of the Guineas where he will face off against Group 1 winners Militarize and Tim Kitten as well as underrated gelding Encap.
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“I couldn’t have Celestial Legend any better, I am really happy with him,” Bridge said.
“He is one of those horses that has always been a little bit immature.
“That’s why I have given him a bit of time and didn’t race him much in the spring.
“He is just starting to mature now and he is only really only very little raced with six or seven starts but I really think with this preparation under his belt, when he is a bit more seasoned he can continue to improve.
“I am hoping he still has a lot of improvement and we definitely haven’t got to the bottom of him yet.”
Celestial Legend has built a competitive record in a short amount of time with two wins and two placings in six starts.
Bridge only gave the colt two starts in the spring but has raised the bar again this preparation and Celestial Legend has proven to be up to the challenge.
Celestial Legend hit the line well to finish fifth in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) first-up before surging home to win the Group Hobartville Stakes (1400m) last start at Rosehill Gardens.
Bridge believes Celestial Legend still has plenty in the tank as he steps out over the mile for the first time.
“From what I can see he has only gone forward since the Hobartville and he certainly hasn’t gone backwards,” Bridge said.
“He worked good on Thursday, he pulled up good and is cherry ripe.”
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Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho will fly into Australia to watch Celestial Legend in the Guineas.
Bridge and Ho notably combined for feature success at Randwick when former star sprinter Classique Legend saluted in The Everest in 2020.
Celestial Legend will have a tough task to overcome to capture the Guineas with 11 runners set to chase Group 1 glory in the coveted mile.
Multiple Group 1 winner Militarize ($2.30 fav) will be the horse to beat following his first-up second in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes last start.
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The likes of Encap ($9) and Spring Champion Stakes victor Tom Kitten ($6.50) both finished behind Celestial Legend in the Hobartville Stakes last time.
“I think they have got it right and Militarize has earned the right to be favourite,” Bridge said.
“They are never easy. I’ve won a lot of Group 1s and they never give them to you.
“There is probably four or five chances so I am under no illusion that it is going to be easy, don’t worry about that.”
Celestial Legend is also among the leading contenders for the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and holds a nomination for the Australian Derby but Bridge is leaning towards a different target if all goes to plan in his first crack at a mile.
“The mile won’t worry him, I think 1600m is probably going to be his distance,” Bridge said.
“We will see how he runs on Saturday first but at the moment I am looking at the Doncaster with him as well with nothing on his back.”
Bridge can get his day off to a winning start earlier on the card with Invincible Legend ($13) set to step out in the Midway Benchmark 72 (1600m).
Invincible Legend was a winner two starts ago over the same track and trip before struggling in a 1900m event at Canterbury last time.
“He was a bit disappointing the other day when he was ridden a bit close so we will ride him quiet and see how he goes,”
“He is an each-way chance.”
Two kilo-claiming apprentice Amy McLucas will pilot Invincible Legend.
Originally published as Trainer Les Bridge confident Celestial Legend can improve again ahead of Group 1 Randwick Guineas test
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