That's it for our live coverage of The Everest and Caulfield Cup. I hope you can join us for our coverage of the Cox Plate next Saturday.
Until then, happy punting!
The Everest 2020: Classique Legend snags $15 million shootout to give Kerrin McEvoy third crown
Classique Legend had to produce a world-class sprinting performance to win The Everest, and he did. But jockey Kerrin McEvoy admitted he started to worry when the slick grey spotted the leaders a big start in the $15m sprint. But in a flash, McEvoy's third win in the race was in the bag.
If this was Classique Legend’s final Australian start, he will leave as arguably the world’s best sprinter.
Because Classique Legend needed to produce a world-class sprinting performance to win the $15 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
This was a brutal sprint. Eduardo was the first shock, crossing from a wide barrier to be the surprise leader over Nature Strip.
Eduardo sustained his speed to the turn, stringing out The Everest field and running 33.26s for the first 600m. Classique Legend was back seventh at the halfway point of the race, at least 10 lengths off the lead.
Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Classique Legend, looked up and saw how far back he was – and started to worry.
SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL RECAP OF THE EVEREST DAY
“It was a funny one because I needed to come back behind Trekking to get a slot and then they went quicker,’’ McEvoy said. “But I just had to ride my race. I looked up at the 600m and they were well in front, they were off. I was worried at that point.
“I thought ‘far out, if Nature Strip and his companions are back to their best they are going to take a bit of running down. But full credit to my horse with that cover and that soft time of it early, he was really able to power when I asked him. Soon after straightening I was confident I was going to pick them up.”
Classique Legend, heavily backed into $4.20 favourite, unleashed an irresistible surge from the top of the straight to sweep past his rivals and rocketed home two-and-a-half lengths clear of the chasing pack.
Despite a fierce headwind in the straight, the “Grey Flash” ran his final 600m in 33.30s, and stopped the clock at 1m 8.27s, a brilliant time considering the conditions.
Godolphin’s Bivouac ($9.50) ran on for second with the ever reliable Gytrash ($6) a half length away third.
Trekking, Godolphin’s other runner, came home well to finish fourth, just ahead of Haut Brion Her.Horse of the Year Nature Strip faded from the turn to finish seventh with trainer Chris Waller conceding the chestnut is not quite as his best. Eduardo dropped right out and beat only Dollar For Dollar to the line.
The fourth running of The Everest had given McEvoy his third winner. He had won the first two editions with Redzel (2017-18).
“I was thrilled to get the horse over the line,’’ McEvoy said. “Les (Bridge) has pulled a masterstroke off.
“He is a marvel. He has been great. He doesn’t say too much, he gave me no instructions.
“I said what I planned to do which is fantastic from a jockeys’ point of view if you’ve got that backing from the trainer and he has trained some champions then it means everything.
“He has kept him in training from the middle of since July and Carmel (Size) has attended to him like a baby. It has been fantastic. It is an unbelievable feeling to win another one.
“Every big win is special. I was lucky enough to team up with Redzel soon after he got racing with the Snowdens. This is a horse that Carmel (Size) threw me on and Les (Bridge) threw me on really early in his career and he showed instant brilliance.
“I backed him to the hilt from then on to win a good race.’’
Classique Legend scored his sixth win from just 12 starts and the huge Everest first prizemoney of $6.2 million lifted his career earnings to over $8 million and eighth on the all-time list above Black Caviar ($7.95 million).
Godolphin trainer James Cummings prepared the second and fourth placegetters with the stable’s sprinters picking up $3.4 million between them.
Glen Boss, rider of Bivouac, said Classique Legend was simply too good on the day.
“He went outstanding my horse but full credit to the winner,’’ Boss said. “ I followed him but he put three lengths on me when I was quickening. We couldn’t have beaten the winner today.”
Gordon Richards, trainer of Gytrash, said he was surprised his sprinter got so far back in the race.
“They were ‘humming’ up front but Gytrash is capable of sitting up close to them,’’ Richards said. “He was sitting off them and foxing when they hummed along last start and ran a near record. But today he just got too far back but he kept trying, His last 200m was phenomenal.
“I was disappointed we didn’t get the gold medal but we are happy with the bronze.’’
FINISHING ORDER
1. Classique legend
2. Bivouac
3. Gytrash
4. Trekking
5. Haut Brion Her
6. Santa Ana Lane
7. Nature Strip
8. Libertini
9. Tofane
10. Behemoth
11. Eduardo
12. Dollar for Dollar
Updates
RACE 10 RESULTS
1. Bombasay
2. Best Stone
3. Dream Circle
A roughie lobs in the last with the Damian Lane-trained Bombasay. The win capped a good day for jockey Jason Collett, who rode treble, including the very impressive It's Me in The Kociuszko.
CAULFIELD CUP FINISHING ORDER
1. Verry Elleegant
2. Anthony Van Dyck
3. The Chosen One
4. Prince Of Arran
5. Finche
6. Avilius
7. Buckhurst
8. Mustajeer
9. Chapada
10. Master Of Wine
11. Dalasan
12. Warning
13. True Self
14. Toffee Tongue
15. Vow And Declare
16. Raheen House
17. Mirage Dancer
18. Dashing Willoughby
MELBOURNE CUP MOVERS
Verry Elleegant's win in the Caulfield Cup has forced a reshuffle in the market for the Melbourne Cup. European raider Tiger Moth remains the favourite with TAB at $6 ahead of local stars Russian Camelot and Surprise Baby at $8.
Verry Elleegant $17-$11
Anthony Van Dyck $17-$13
Prince Of Arran $21-$17
The Chosen One $51-$26
Warning $21-$34
True Self and Vow And Declare $34-$51
Avilius $101-$51
Dashing Willoughby $26-$101
R10: BOWERMANS HCP (1400m)
Best Stone is the favourite for the lucky last on The Everest Day.
Dufficy: An impossible race to finish, really tough. I have no conviction here but I think lightweight Bright Rubick can run a race. She is an underrated mare who hit the line really well late at Canterbury second-up and she has form up to 1600m. She is the value runner. The dangers, and there is a host of them, include Bombasay who has a good record and both runs back have been solid. Mirra Vision gets her chance. She went back in trip last start and that was against her but this race looks ideal. Dancing Gidget is going well. She was up in class last start and was competitive but is back to a benchmark 78 and just needs luck from the draw.
Thomas: Mirra Vision tried hard behind Best Stone at Canterbury and is better suited back out to 1400m. Mirra Vision meets Best Stone 2kg better at the weights and is ready to win. Dancing Gidget will be giving them a start from the turn watch for her late. Best Stone continues to race well but 1400m is a test, particularly with her big weight and wide barrier. Stockman is an emerging stayer resuming here but has the ability to sprint well fresh.
The Everest winner Classique Legend has firmed into outright favourite with TAB for the Darley Classic later this spring. Here's the latest TAB market.
Classique Legend $6-$3.50f
Gytrash $5-$6
Bivouac $11-$6
Nature Strip $6-$8
Libertini $9-$11
Trekking $15-$11
Tofane $13-$15
Haut Brion Her $26-$15
Standout $26-$17
Deprive $17-$26
Graff $51-$26
RACE 9 RESULTS
1. Fun Fact
2. Brimham Rocks
3. She's Ideel
A big day for grey horses has continued with Fun Fact holding off Brimham Rocks to win the St Leger.
R9: ST LEGER STAKES (2600m)
Dufficy: Paths Of Glory is an emerging stayer. He was very good in the Wyong and Newcastle Cups then had to be ridden back in The Metropolitan and I thought his effort was fantastic finishing fifth. Brimham Rocks had too much to do in The Metropolitan as well and fourth-up here he is well suited. Attorney hasn’t run against this class before but he is going very well. She’s Ideel is a strong staying mare on the rise and although this is a big step up in class, she is coming off a terrific win last week.
Thomas: Paths Of Glory got into an awkward position back in the field, was held up for a run in the straight before eventually working into the clear and finishing hard to run fifth in The Metropolitan. He had no luck at Group 1 level last start but continues to race well this spring. He’s got to be hard to beat. Attorney is a much improved stayer and is right in this race. Brimham Rocks is a genuine stayer and She’s Ideel is back in winning form.
CUP DELIGHT
'It's a very special win with a very special horse. I thought she has beaten at the 100m mark but she dug deep.' Chris Waller on Verry Elleegant.
BACK-TO-BACK 50s: Marnus Labuschagne in the runs
1. Verry Elleegant
2. Anthony Van Dyck
3. The Chosen One
Champion trainer Chris Waller and jockey Mark Zahra win their first Caulfield Cup after Verry Elleegant holds off the highly-fancied Anthony Van Dyck in a thrilling finish to the 2400m staying test.