Friday, 14th February 2025
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773
Starspangledbanner’s exciting Hong Kong-based Irish-bred 4YO son California Spangle has put himself firmly in the picture for December’s Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) after a no-nonsense success in Sunday’s Gr3 Celebration Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Part of a treble for Zac Purton, who has shot to 11 wins for a 5 point buffer over Vincent Ho (6) and Karis Teetan (5), the 4YO gelding’s options were originally between the Mile feature or the Gr1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), however trainer Tony Cruz believes the longer distance is the better choice “because of California Spangle’s relentless racing style”, according to racingnews.hkjc.com. “I think he’s a miler. He’s a real front-runner,” Cruz observed after California Spangle improved his overall record to seven wins and four seconds from 11 starts, while also adding a HK$500,000 Top-Up bonus to the HK$2.223 million prizemoney he collected for victory on Sunday. Cruz, who currently leads the 2022/23 trainers’ championship with five wins, said California Spangle would be prepared next up for the Gr2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on 16 October.
