Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy will saddle the Les Bridge-trained Classique Legend at Rosehill on Saturday as the four-year-old steps out after failing to place in last fortnight’s $14 million Everest.

McEvoy is one of the top in-form jock’s in the country, but it’s been a short while between drinks since the 39-year-old last rode a winner for some top prize-money.

Classique Legend will go around in the inaugural $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) hoping to make up for what so far been an up and down prep. The son of Not A Single Doubt placed in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) and the Premiere Stakes (1200m) first and second-up at Randwick before running sixth behind Pierata in The Everest.

Saturday will mark McEvoy’s first ride on the horse since April, taking over Nash Rawiller who has been booked to ride $9.50 chance The Inevitable. McEvoy spoke to Sky Racing on Friday and said he’s excited about jumping back on the grey as he steps out to the 1500m mark for the first time.

“I’ve always entertained the idea of him going out in trip. He’s a horse that’s quite quick but at the same time he can relax as well” McEvoy said.

Barrier one should make life a little easier for McEvoy as he hopes to chase down Arcadia Queen, Kolding and Brutal, just to name a few. There will be plenty of pressure from the wider draws in the race, but McEvoy thinks he might have an advantage if those horses choose to sit up on the speed.

“There’s a bit of pressure there but at the same time they’re going to want to rate their own horses as well. That’s why I was just happy to see barrier one, from that 1500m start at Rosehill you can get into a nice spot and you can save a fair few lengths there by using a good gate.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on what they’re doing, a couple of horses are out to 1500m and they are going to be up on the speed. So it’s just going to be interesting to see which horses can handle it going up in trip, I’ll be keeping a close eye on what’s unfolding” McEvoy went on to say.

Classique Legend started his career with a pair of wins at Kensington earlier in the year before winning the Arrowfield Sprint at Randwick in April. Things haven’t quite gone according to plan since then, but it’s fair to say luck has played a part as Classique Legend has challenged all of his champion rivals this Spring.

“He just didn’t have any luck in The Everest, the race didn’t go his way, no one’s fault,’’ Bridge said.

“Everything happened that ‘quick’ and he just couldn’t get a go. He was looking for a run and was held up.

“When you see the head-on, three times he went for a run and couldn’t get through. You don’t see that often.

“He finally switched to the outside and got beaten two and a half lengths. I’m not saying he would have won but he would have been in the finish” Bridges told the Daily Telegraph on Thursday.

Full Golden Eagles odds can be viewed here.