Shock The Everest tilt on cards for Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend

Trainer Les Bridge spoken with Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho about Celestial Legend’s new season campaign and there is a chance his stable star could contest the nation’s two richest races.

Celestial Legend wins the 2024 Doncaster Mile. Picture: Bradley Photos

The maestro Les Bridge is considering a shock The Everest start for Celestial Legend to prepare the brilliant grey for his main spring carnival goal, the Golden Eagle.

Bridge revealed he has spoken with Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho about Celestial Legend’s new season campaign and although a race preparation has not been finalised there is a chance his stable star could contest the nation’s two richest races.

The $20 million The Everest is run over 1200m at Royal Randwick on October 19 with the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens two weeks later.

A legendary Group 1 DONCASTER victory for CELESTIAL LEGEND!✨💫🌟

What an incredible performance from @G1TySchil and the 3YO colt. 🤩@aus_turf_club | @SkyRacingAU

pic.twitter.com/haeK8irm5U

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 6, 2024

Bridge confirmed the Golden Eagle is the main target for Celestial Legend, already a dual Group 1 winner of the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile.

“I will barrier trial Celestial Legend and see how he is sprinting but The Everest is in the back of my mind – I wouldn’t put it past this horse,’’ Bridge said.

“I ran it by Bon Ho, he was a bit lukewarm but he has left it up to me. The horse will have a barrier trial in five to six weeks then after he trials we will work out what we do with him.’’

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Les Bridge and Kerrin McEvoy after Celestial Legend won the Randwick Guineas.

Celestial Legend is the $4.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite for the Golden Eagle while he’s on the third line of betting at $6 behind Pride Of Jenni for the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on Everest Day.

But Bridge revealed he is reluctant to race Celestial Legend over 1600m or further before the Golden Eagle which brings The Everest into the equation.

TAB Fixed Odds spokesman Tim Ryan has inserted Celestial Legend into The Everest market at $15 behind favourite I Wish I Win at $4.50.

The legend himself Les Bridge watching Celestial Legend win @TheStarSydney Doncaster Mile 🏆@racing_nsw@SkyRacingAU@[e-mail]/cd7QvuRbmI

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) April 6, 2024

Bridge and Ho combined with Classique Legend for a famous win in The Everest in 2020.

The Hall of Fame trainer said he regards the Golden Eagle as the “logical race” for Celestial Legend in the spring.

“We will take our time and space our runs to get to the Golden Eagle,’’ Bridge said.

“When you have a $10 million race you can get greedy and run them in everything leading up to that race. But if you can settle on a race then you are doing the right thing by the horse.’’

Celestial Legend returned to light work earlier this month and Bridge said the three-year-old colt has developed significantly during his spell.

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Laura Dundovic with Celestial Legend.

“The horse looks beautiful, he’s filled out a lot,’’ Bridge said.

“I never said anything but going into the Doncaster I was a bit worried because he had lightened off a bit. He was a young horse who had not raced much and he looked a bit gaunt around the flanks.

“I was told very early in my career when they look like that they are either super fit or they have had enough.

“I was worried he might have had one run too many but it was the Doncaster and I do have a lot of confidence in the horse. So, I ran him and well you saw what happened. He’s a really good horse.’’

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Originally published as Shock The Everest tilt on cards for Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend