California Spangle is a “good chance” to race again this season but it won’t be in next weekend’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m), trainer Tony Cruz confirmed after the star sprinter-miler’s comfortable victory in a Sha Tin dirt trial on Tuesday morning.
Runner-up in last month’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) after victories in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) and Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m), California Spangle moved well after assuming his customary lead role in the six-furlong hit-out.
“I’m happy with him and he seems to still be in good form. We’re not running him [in the Sha Tin Vase] but there’s a good chance we will run him on June 23 over 1,400m [in the Group Three Premier Cup],” Cruz said.
Cruz’s recent acquisition, Son Pak Fu, will tackle the Sha Tin Vase after crossing the line in seventh behind California Spangle, while Beauty Joy is set to line up in next weekend’s Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) after finishing third in Tuesday’s second heat.
Before shifting focus to those Group Three contests, Cruz will chase a record eighth victory as a trainer in this Sunday’s Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) with recent Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) quinella pair La City Blanche and Five G Patch.
“I’m a bit worried about the going for La City Blanche, he likes good ground, but Five G Patch should be able to handle it. I’d still rather they be running on good ground but they’re both ready,” said Cruz ahead of what shapes as a wet few days in Hong Kong.
One trainer who isn’t concerned about the prospect of rain is Douglas Whyte, who is hoping for plenty of give in the ground for his two-time defending champ Russian Emperor.
“Let’s hope it sticks around until the weekend. I sat on him this morning for a turf gallop. He felt amazing, he strode out beautifully and he loved getting his toe in. It was a good piece of work and he’s on song,” Whyte said of his stable star.
“He’s been primed for this race – it’s been well documented that this is the race I’ve had in mind all year. He comes good this time of the year. If the rain sticks around that’s going to enhance his chances, but Rebel’s Romance is a really good horse.”
Godolphin superstar Rebel’s Romance worked on the Sha Tin all-weather track on Tuesday morning ahead of his first run in Hong Kong, while fellow Champions & Chater Cup runner Straight Arron pleased trainer Caspar Fownes with his fourth-placed effort at Tuesday morning’s trials.
