Run at breakneck speed, The Everest (1200m) set up perfectly for a backmarker, and there are few better at that caper than Classique Legend who turned the $15 million feature at Randwick into a walk in the park.
A third winner in four runnings of the race for Kerrin McEvoy, the four-year-old son of Not A Single Doubt had just four of the 12 runners behind him on straightening as Eduardo set scorching fractions out in front.
By the 200 metres, Classique Legend had them in his sights, and there was no stopping him from there.
Trained by octogenarian Les Bridge, Classique Legend kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Godolphin's Exceed And Excel four-year-old Bivouac by two and a half lengths.
Lope de Vega's ever-consistent Gytrash nosed out Trekking (Street Cry) for third.
McEvoy said the pace was incredible.
"It was a funny one because I needed to come back behind Trekking to get a slot and then they went quicker," he said.
"I just had to ride my race. I looked up at the 600m, and they were well in front, they were off.
"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.
"I'm thrilled to get the horse over the line. Les (Bridge) has pulled a masterstroke off. He has kept him in training from 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 and Les threw me on early in his career and he showed instant brilliance.
Bridge said he hoped the horse had made believers of the doubters.
"I’ve been telling you for three months. How much start do you want?” Bridge enthused.
“One of my greatest friends was (vetinarian) Percy Sykes. He said it's all in the genes. Some horses just get all the good genes.
“This horse has got a girth on him that deep and a V8 motor. It’s unbelievable.”
Purchased for a sales-topping $400,000 by Carmel Size, on behalf of Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho, out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Classique Legend advances his record to six wins, two seconds and two thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $8,635,500.
The grey gelding is still to check off the Group 1 box. However, it is doubtful if he will run in many stronger fields of sprinters.
A year older half-brother to the Hong Kong flyer Aethero (Sebring), Classique Legend is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Pinocchio, a winning full sister to champion miler Racing to Win.
Purchased for $320,000 out of the Milburn Creek draft at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Pinocchio has a two-year-old colt named Fairy Legend in training with Gary and John Moore.
He was purchased by Legend Racing for $1.1 million out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pinocchio missed in 2018 despite being covered by Capitalist, Pierro and Merchant Navy. On August 20 the star mare foaled a filly by I Am Invincible.
Arrowfield Studs pensioned Not A Single Doubt rockets to the top of the Champion sire title, and he may take some dislodging.
