Tony Cruz will attempt to win a third HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (2 March) when he saddles Californiatotality and Stunning Peach in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic series.

With 1,543 wins as a trainer after notching 946 victories as a jockey in Hong Kong, Cruz’s ambition is undiminished and he is confident Californiatotality, who will be ridden by Alexis Badel, and Stunning Peach, who will be partnered by James McDonald, have the quality to contend strongly this weekend.

Zoustar gelding Californiatotality is a five-time winner at Sha Tin from 1600m to 1800m and last start won under Brenton Avdulla, triumphing for the third time this season.

“He’s already won at 1800m twice and I believe that he’s a middle-distance horse and he can go to 2000 metres as well. You need a class horse and I think Californiatotality is going to run a big race.”

Cruz has twice won the Hong Kong Classic Cup, scoring with Floral Pegasus in 2007 and again in 2022 when Romantic Warrior’s unbeaten run was brought to a close by a brilliant front-running ride by Zac Purton on California Spangle.

Neither Californiatotality nor Stunning Peach ran in the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) won by My Wish for Mark Newnham and Luke Ferraris on 31 January.

The HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 23 March is the final leg of the HK$52 million series.

Twice Hong Kong champion trainer, Cruz is hopeful Wootton Bassett gelding Stunning Peach can reclaim his best form after an indifferent season.

“James McDonald will ride Stunning Peach and he’s also won over this distance at Sha Tin but I believe he could be even better at 2000m and above – 1800m might be a bit short for him,” Cruz said. “I believe he is a Hong Kong Derby chance.”

Formerly trained by Joseph O’Brien, Stunning Peach was Group 1-placed in Ireland and France when he raced as Islandsinthestream. He finished seventh last start in the HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) behind Chancheng Glory, stoutly making ground from the home turn.

The Hong Kong Classic Cup entry also features My Wish, Packing Hermod, Rubylot, Divano, Johannes Brahms, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Packing Angel, Mondial, Steps Ahead and Sky Trust.

Cruz continues to mull the future of California Spangle following the gelding’s sixth behind Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February).

Beaten just under three lengths after crossing the line in sixth place after leading, California Spangle this season has not recaptured the form which saw him land the 2024 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the G1 Al Quoz (1200m) in course record time last March.

Winner of 13 of his 33 starts for prizemoney of HK$83.6 million, California Spangle has been one of Hong Kong’s best and more versatile horses as the holder of the Sha Tin Griffin track records for 1000m and 1200m as well as triumphing the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in 2022 when he toppled Golden Sixty.

“He’s okay, but I’m having a meeting with the owners about him today,” Cruz said of his stable flagbearer.