With the 2022 Everest fast approaching, part-owner Rupert Legh is adamant Masked Crusader is the real deal and can go one better than last year’s runner-up finish.
The six-year-old has the chance to live up to that hype in the $1 million Premiere Stakes over 1200m at Randwick this Saturday, ahead of the world’s richest race on turf on October 15.
Also read: Randwick tips for October 1, 2022
He won the Premiere last year and was far from disgraced in the Shorts last start.
That was when he finished sixth over 1100m – just over three lengths behind the great Nature Strip on September 17.
Not to mention the star gelding only being edged out by Chris Waller’s champion in last year’s Everest, in what was a sensational effort to close the gap late from the back of the field.
This is why Legh has told punters not to lose faith in his $11 winning chance with Ladbrokes for Saturday’s Group 2 feature.
“The horse is in great form. He’s come out of his spell in terrific condition, and he looks ready to step up and stamp his credentials,” Legh told Sky Racing when asked about Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes’ sprinter.
“He’s one of those horses – last prep in the autumn, you could probably put a line through a few of his races and just say he didn’t handle the heavy, heavy track.
“He didn’t handle the straight at Flemington. There are a few boxes he hasn’t ticked, but we know he has a liking to Randwick.
“He has a liking to soft-to-firm tracks. I know there are a lot of boxes you’ve got to tick, but that’s the sort of horse he is.
“We were absolutely thrilled with his first-up run.”
Like Masked Crusader’s phenomenal effort in last year’s Everest, he made up plenty of ground late in the Shorts after starting from barrier 12.
“I don’t know if the barrier gods were kind to him, even though he jumped cleanly and probably better than what he has been jumping,” Legh said.
“So we had no alternative but to go back, and they went hard early. And they jammed on the breaks and it was a slightly-run race until the last 600m.
“And if you go by the sectionals, he had the fastest last 600 in the race by far. He made enormous ground.
“Over 1200, he’s going to be better again.
“So after that race we gave him a massive tick, and he’s come back the way we thought he would.”
Masked Crusader has again drawn barrier 12 for Saturday, but Legh said his form out of the gates had improved.
This is why he’s confident he could be midfield or better heading into the straight.
“If you go back to his last race in the autumn (ninth in the TJ Smith Stakes), he actually jumped very cleanly,” he said.
“For once we drew a good gate, and he jumped as well as anyone Saturday week ago.
“They (Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes) have worked on those barrier habits. If he can jump well … we’re a definite chance to be in the midfield or even better.
“He is jumping better and hopefully he’ll continue to do so.”
Looking ahead to The Everest, Legh believes his six-year-old has the credentials to again challenge the likes of Nature Strip and Eduardo, and the fast-emerging Jacquinot for Mick Price and Michael Kent.
“Jacquinot was extremely impressive (winning the Golden Rose Stakes last Saturday). He hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Legh said.
“And when you look at Nature Strip, he just keeps getting better.
“What is he now – an eight-year-old? And Eduardo is (nine on October 30).
“They sure haven’t slowed down. So I think as a six-year-old, his best racing is in front of him.
“The way he’s come back, we could not be happier with him.”
And this was Legh’s message to punters thinking of deserting his short-distance star.
“He’s the real deal. I don’t think anyone should lose any confidence in him and the ability he’s got,” he said.
Masked Crusader is paying around the $13 quote to win the Everest with the top horse racing bookmakers.
More horse racing news
