JOHN THOMPSON STRIKES TWICE. LES BRIDGE’S DEBUT WINNER BURSTS ON THE SCENE.

By Scott Gooley | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Randwick Trainer’s John Thompson and Les Bridge figured predominately at today’s Kensington meeting with Thompson training a winning-double and Bridge producing the impressive winner, Classique Legend.

Thompson, who only had three runners on the program, took the opening race with Almerheri and in the final event of the day, Cuba staved off a late challenge of race favourite Rock, to record a narrow victory.

Almerheri had drawn 8 of 8 and 10 of 12 in her past two starts but a more favourable draw and positive ride, enabled the filly to produce her best and record her maiden victory by a margin (3.75 lengths).

“Makes a big difference having a nice barrier,” Thompson said after the race.

“She was perfectly ridden by Rachel (King) who really gave the horse confidence.”

Almerheri, by Al Maher out of Street Cry mare Miss Cutie, is heading toward the Australian Oaks.

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Les Bridge also derived plenty of confidence out the meeting after Classic Legend recorded a most impressive victory on debut.

The three-year-old son of Not A Single Doubt won by two and a half lengths, stopping the clock at 1.02:82 and breaking 33 for the last 600m (32.98).

Classique Legend is raced by the same connections as the well-performed Southern Legend, who Bridge also prepared before he was exported to Hong Kong at the end of 2016.

“With this horse, we are going to keep him in Australia for the short term,” said owner’s representative and Bloodstock Agent, Carmel Size.

“We will try and season him up and he might find himself in a nice race over the autumn.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy who partnered Classique Legend, agrees that better things are in store for the grey gelding.

“He is a nice big horse who can stretch over a bit further.”

“He is heading in the right direction and it’s exciting to see where he might end up.”