2020 The Everest winner and the world’s joint-highest rated sprinter Classique Legend has turned heads in Hong Kong with some sharp track work ahead of his first up assignment in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 13.
At 125, Classique Legend is currently ranked as the world’s joint-highest rated sprinter along with Bivouac on the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Ranking, and fourth overall.
New trainer Casper Fownes has been impressed with the gelding’s work since landing in Hong Kong.
“He’s got a great way about him, he certainly has a presence, I think he knows he’s a little bit special,” Fownes said.
The Bon Ho owned Classique Legend produces a blinder to capture the $15m The Everest at @royalrandwick – the richest race on turf. Sold by Tyreel Stud, to Carmel Size, for $400k at the 2017 @inglis_sales Classic, Classique Legend has won over $8 million. #ItPaysToBuyAustralian pic.twitter.com/Ev90rdctOp
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) October 17, 2020
“He’s a proper horse and he certainly gives himself a chance to excel at the top-level, which is where he is at now. He’s rated joint-number four in the world now, so that’s a massive rating and equal highest rated sprinter with Bivouac.”
“With a view to having him ready for the Hong Kong Sprint we kept him quiet while in quarantine in Australia, we didn’t want to take a chance to do anything on the track there while I wasn’t hands on there,” Fownes said.
“We’ll try our best to get him as fit as we can in the short period of time that we have and we’ll have a trial with him and see if we can have him cherry ripe for the big day.”
“You couldn’t be happier with the way Classique Legend is, his demeanour and the way he presents, comes out, and does his work – he’s very professional, he’s beautiful to deal with,” Fownes said.
Classique Legend is currently the $1.75 favourite for the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 13.
