Kensington preview: Les Bridge backs duo to take next step
The Everest-winning trainer Les Bridge is enjoying a purple patch and last-start winners Zip On By and Invincible Legend are well placed to continue his hot run of form at Wednesday's Randwick Kensington meeting.
Bridge, who only maintains a small team, has trained six winners from his past 14 starters with both his midweek contenders set to graduate from provincial grade into the metropolitan midweeks.
Zip On By will chase a hat-trick of victories this preparation when the daughter of Sebring contests the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud 3YO Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m).
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The lightly-raced three-year-old has gone to a new level this time in, putting together a pair of strong victories at Kembla Grange and Newcastle before earning her shot in town.
“She has won a couple at the provincials so we will give her a go in town now and I am expecting she will run well,” Bridge said.
“A bit of time has done her good and she will probably get up to 1600m a bit later on. That is probably the risk on Wednesday, the 1300m is probably a worry.
“I would have been happy if it were a 1400m event but the Benchmark 64 is in her class and she is a chance.”
Zip On By looks set to race on a rain-affected track for the first time in her career after wet weather in Sydney on Tuesday saw the Kensington track move into the soft range.
Bridge isn’t concerned by potential wet conditions.
“She is by Sebring so they usually get through it all right. All the ones I have, have had no issues,” Bridge said.
“We've just got to get balanced, that’s the main thing with her so I don’t know where she will be in the run, she shouldn’t be too far away.
“She should be in the middle somewhere.”
Zip On By was $8 into $7 with TAB in a competitive event that sees Paul Messara’s Demitasse holding favouritism at $2.60 while Hellavadancer ($4.60) and Venelope ($4.20) are among the chances.
Koby Jennings will look to add to his perfect record aboard Zip On By after piloting the filly in her past two wins.
Bridge has entrusted apprentice Reece Jones with the steer on Invincible Legend when he hunts back-to-back wins in the Racing For Good On July 29 Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m).
The son of I Am Invincible is deep into his second preparation but has continues to hold his form with two victories in his past four runs.
Two starts ago he was only beaten by a half-length by emerging talent Fawkner Park over 1500m at Kembla Grange with the Annabel Neasham-trained galloper going on to win his next three starts including twice in Sydney Saturday grade.
Invincible Legend came out and saluted his next start at the same track and trip on May 27 before being given a freshen up and a trial to prepare for his return to the city.
“He is going all right. He had a trial there on Friday and went OK,” Bridge said.
“He‘s fitter and is a bit the same as her, he’s been winning at the provincials so you have to give them their chance in town.
“The form around Fawkner Park is good form.
“(From the barrier) he should be three or four lengths off the lead or somewhere like that.”
Invincible Legend is a $5 second elect to add a third win in nine starts to his resume from a favourable barrier two.
The Joseph Pride-trained The Replicant holds sway with the bookies at $4.40 with Kim Waugh‘s Camaguey ($6) and Hawkes Racing galloper Highballer ($7.50) both in single digits.
