The Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) is a New Year’s gift that has often found its way into the hands of Tony Cruz and the legendary trainer is confident California Spangle can add to his stellar record in the contest over his optimal distance.

Cruz has trained five winners of the HK$4.2 million feature and bids to edge one clear of John Size with a record sixth victory at Sha Tin on Wednesday, with California Spangle jumping from gate six under Brenton Avdulla.

A respectable fourth behind Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) last time out, California Spangle has continued to show his versatility over a variety of distances, winning at the top level over 1,200m, 1,400m and mile.

The six-year-old dominated with his customary front-running tactics over Wednesday’s trip in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) in March and Cruz believes his charge is poised to strike once again.

“I’m very happy with his condition,” Cruz said. “He’s a very healthy horse and I believe he’ll run a big race on Wednesday.”

California Spangle will aim to join the likes of Golden Sixty and Lucky Sweynesse on the honour roll when he carries top weight of 135 pounds, with the son of Starspangledbanner giving away 20 pounds to seven of his 10 rivals.

While Cruz’s stable star has not returned to the winners’ enclosure since his Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) heroics at the end of March, the galloper has continued to compete at the top table.

After a gallant second in April’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m), California Spangle narrowly failed to carry 135 pounds to success in the Group Three Premier Cup over Wednesday’s course and distance.

He returned this term with a third first up in the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) in October and bounced back from a below-par effort in the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m) at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting.

The common denominator in all three of his starts this season is that California Spangle has simply been no match for David Hayes’ superstar Ka Ying Rising, who looks head and shoulders above the rest of the sprinting division.

Looking ahead to January 19 where the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) and Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) take centre stage, Cruz is keen to avoid another clash with the rising star.

“I reckon California Spangle’s pet distance is 1,400m,” Cruz said. “The question is after this race, there are two races on the 19th [January] – the mile and the 1,200m. I think we might go for the mile. We can’t beat Ka Ying Rising. He’s too classy, that horse.”

Before contemplating his next Group One target, Cruz will be hoping California Spangle can account for Wednesday’s field which features his ever-consistent stablemate, Beauty Joy, and last year’s winner Taj Dragon.

Cruz also has a representative in the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy on Wednesday, with Whizz Kid looking to defend his crown in the contest over the 1,000m.

Whizz Kid has failed to get on the scoresheet since his victory in the race 12 months ago and looks to bounce back from the inside gate.