Celestial Legend claims Group 1 Doncaster Mile
Celestial Legend (+550) produced a stunning turn-of-foot to claim victory in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, earning the Les Bridge-trained colt back-to-back Group 1 victories.
Les Bridge suggested Celestial Legend was the “best horse” he’s ever trained in the aftermath of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 9, and the son of Dundeel has gone on with the job thanks to a perfectly timed ride by Tyler Schiller.
He was patient throughout aboard the three-year-old, and with only 49kg on his back, he was always going to get by some tiring horses in the concluding stages; however, it wasn’t until the final 150m Celestial Legend even got clear in the home straight.
Another Wil (+260) had been well-supported throughout betting and charged to the lead with 400m to travel, however, when Jamie Kah asked for the ultimate effort, the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding seemingly peaked on the run.
It left the Chris Waller-trained Militarize topping the rise and booting clear under Zac Purton, giving himself visions of last year’s edition of the Doncaster as he clung to victory aboard Mr Brightside.
It wasn’t to be this time as Pericles (+4000) arrived on the scene for Godolphin, mounting his challenge under a Blake Shinn masterclass from stall barrier 14.
Meanwhile, Schiller was only now winding up aboard Celestial Legend, bolting down the outside to claim victory in one of Australia’s greatest handicaps.
2024 Group 1 Doncaster Mile Replay – Celestial Legend
Les Bridge was on course to describe the feeling and made the glowing comparison to his other stable flagbearer, Classique Legend.
“He’s some horse,” said Bridge.
“I’ve had a lot of good horses, but this horse is unbelievable.
“I just love the horse. I felt the same as I did on Everest day (when Classique Legend won).
“You get horses like this, I thought I’d get one in my lifetime, I keep getting them. I can’t work it out.
“What more can he do? For three-year-olds in this era, to win a Doncaster, when they’ve got the compressed weights and all these good horses are so close to him in the weights, that was the only thing that made me worry a bit.
“I’m old-fashioned. You get these good, tough horses with the compressed weights, but this horse is just terrific.”
Tyler Schiller was elated with the win and talked about getting down to 49kg to take the reins on Saturday.
“It’s so worth it,” said Schiller.
“I’m absolutely knackered after it, but I can’t thank Les and Mr Ho, the owners and connections, everyone that’s had something to do with the horse (enough), they’ve got him here perfect, I’ve got the light weight and, God, he was so brave.
“He went through a gap that I wouldn’t usually take but a Doncaster means a lot and to do it for Les and his team is terrific.
“Early I was a bit worried, he couldn’t get into a spot, I would have liked to be a little bit further forward but once the 800 came he tracked into the race so well and then it was just trying to find a gap.
“I probably took a gap that I wouldn’t take usually but once he found that clear air, he knows where the line is, he’s very competitive and he wasn’t going to let them beat him today.”