Hong Kong: California Spangle sparkles in Coronation Cup Handicap

California Spangle looked like a star making his first start of the 2022-23 Hong Kong racing season on Sunday at Sha Tin.

The 4-year-old gelding made all the running under Zac Purton in the Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap and won by two lengths, clocking a strong 1:20.49 for 1,400 meters, while never asked for anything by his rider.

California Spangle broke like a rocket, made a clear lead, outfooted Duke Wai to the turn, shrugged off a mid-race challenge from Healthy Happy, and, while his five rivals came under heavy pressure through the homestretch, California Spangle looked like he was out for a Sunday stroll cruising to a two-length victory.

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One of the top 4-year-olds in Hong Kong during the 2022 section of the 2021-22 season, California Spangle looked Sunday like he had improved considerably since he’d last seen racing action on April 24.

“Zac said the horse can relax even better now than last season, so there’s improvement in him,” said winning trainer Tony Cruz.

Cruz told Hong Kong Jockey Club publicity he’ll aim California Spangle toward the Hong Kong Mile rather than the Hong Kong Sprint on the Hong Kong International Races card in December. That means he’ll have to deal with Hong Kong’s best horse, Golden Sixty, who beat California Spangle by two lengths when they met at level weights five months ago.

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