Anyone assessing this years crop of three year old colts and geldings would place Lazarus at the top of the pile with Chase The Dream his greatest challenger but as the season has gone on Classie Brigade has slowly but surely started to close the gap on the All Stars pair.
His run tonight in the $23,500 Alabar Super Series Final at Addington Raceway was just further confirmation of the improvement he has made since his third placing in the New Zealand Sires Stakes Final on Cup Day.
Driver Ricky May settled him three back in the running line early before shooting around to sit parked with a round to go as Blair Orange and Buster Brady looped the field to lead.
Classie Brigade sat on Buster Brady's wheel until 200 metres from home where he easily worked clear and went on for a comfortable 1 1/4 length victory from a game Buster Brady and Bite The Bullet who closed late up the passing lane.
Classie Brigade cut the 1950 metres out in a sizzling 2:20.4, a mile rate of 1:55.8 with closing sectionals of 57.2 and 29.1 in the warm windy conditions.
Ricky May was full of praise for the son of Bettor's Delight.
" He just keeps on getting better this horse ever time I drive him."
" I didn't mind sitting in the death with him tonight as he concentrates better there than he does when he is in front".
" He still can knock off a bit when left in front early but he is getting better all the time in that respect."
" I think he is the next best three year old after the All Stars pair and I think he has closed the gap since Cup time."
" He does go good the Auckland way round so I think he is a chance of getting some of it at Derby time the way he is going," Ricky said.
Ricky May is never one to get too bullish about a horse's chances so his comments would suggest that Classie Brigade will be a major player in the Woodlands Stud Northern Derby on March 11th.
Harnesslink Media