Tony Cruz believes California Spangle is capable of beating Golden Sixty in the HK$20 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on 30 April after a dogged G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) triumph at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 April).
Registering his first win since a famous defeat of Golden Sixty in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 11 December, California Spangle (128lb) was pushed to a half-length margin by Money Catcher (123lb) after Zac Purton was unable to adopt his customary leading role.
Despite the gritty nature of the win, Cruz is adamant California Spangle will reprise his pace-setting role next start – and retains the capacity to topple Golden Sixty.
“We still won the race today and I’m very happy about that, but next time he runs we’ll definitely go to the front,” Cruz said after California Spangle stalked Healthy Happy before edging to the front in the straight and staving off Money Catcher and Beauty Joy late.
“It wasn’t his kind of race today, the time (1m 34.17s) was slow, too. I reckon next we’re definitely not going to run this way again. We’re not going to make the same mistake again – he should have led the race. He’s so used to going to the front, you can’t stop him. But today he still wins.”
With 10 wins and seven minor placings from 17 starts, California Spangle looms as one of Golden Sixty’s main obstacles in the G1 FWD Champions Mile and Cruz is hopeful of upsetting Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse again.
“He’s (California Spangle) in top shape now and I reckon he’ll be ready for the 30th (of April). I’m very confident about my horse and I believe we still have a good chance (of beating Golden Sixty).”