Randwick trial to help shape Celestial Legend’s spring
Dual Group 1 winner Celestial Legend (Dundeel) will step out in a talent-packed barrier trial at Randwick on Friday and Kerrin McEvoy is expecting the four-year-old’s first public appearance of the season to provide an important guide to his spring program.
The entire will line up in a 850-metre heat which also showcases 2022 The Everest (1200m) winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) victor Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and Group 3 winner Linebacker (Super Seth), who was also placed at Group 1 level.
Several races have been bandied about as options for Celestial Legend this spring, including The Everest, while he is an equal favourite for the Epsom Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) and a dominant top pick for the Golden Eagle (1500m).
“This trial will determine where he goes in regard to his preparation,” McEvoy said. “I am presuming he’s going to be out there to have a bit of an extended trial.”
While McEvoy missed Celestial Legend’s Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) triumph, he has ridden the four-year-old in half of his eight starts, including his Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) victory.
He has also been aboard him regularly at trackwork and while the transition from three to four can be difficult for some horses, McEvoy is adamant that won’t be a problem for the Les Bridge-trained runner.
“He’ll make it,” he said. “He has been sharp in his work and progressed nicely. Les has been able to get a good base into him and I’m looking forward to the trial. He is at the early stages of his prep like all of them, but he is giving us a good vibe at the moment.”