Hong Kong: Wide post shouldn't hinder California Spangle in Sha Tin Trophy Handicap

Breaking from post 12 on Sunday in the Group 3 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap should not prevent California Spangle from going 2 for 2 this Hong Kong racing season.

The talented 4-year-old was an easy winner of the Group 3 Celebration Cup over 1,600 meters on Sept. 25 and figures to continue his emergence as one of Hong Kong’s top sprinter-milers in the Sunday feature at Sha Tin.

Leading rider Zac Purton will use California Spangle’s speed to get position during the long backstretch run in this one-turn mile; if other speed wants to show, California Spangle will be happy to stalk, but the gelding also can show his best setting the pace. With a record of 7-4-0 from 11 starts, California Spangle was the second-best 4-year-old in Hong Kong last season, surpassed only by Romantic Warrior, who is training toward his 2022-23 debut. Rated 121, up 10 points off his Celebration Cup victory, California Spangle carries 133 pounds, third highest in this 14-runner field behind top-rated Waikuku and Russian Emperor.

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Waikuku’s best days are behind him, while Russian Emperor and Senor Toba (who gets in at 121 pounds), both 4-year-olds, ran their best races last season over 2,400 meters; their connections likely are looking toward the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase over that trip in December as an ultimate 2022 goal.

Tony Cruz trains California Spangle and has two others in the race, 7-year-old veteran Ka Ying Star and 6-year-old Beauty Joy. Beauty Joy was a five-time winner last season and ended his campaign with a Group 3 success after beginning it a Class 3 handicapper. He lacks pace and comes with a late run, and by the time Beauty Joy fully unwinds in his season’s debut, his stablemate, California Spangle, may be long gone.

Post time for the Sha Tin Trophy, race 8 of 10, is 4:35 a.m. Eastern. Watch and wager at DRFBets.com.

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