California Spangle Wins G2 Chairman’s Trophy

Tara Madgwick - Monday April 10

Irish bred Starspangledbanner gelding California Spangle (IRE) added another feature win to his impressive resume when taking out the Group II The Chairman’s Tropy (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

California Spangle wins G2 The Chairman's Trophy - image HKJC

Trained by Tony Cruz, California Spangle beat the champion Golden Sixty to win the Group I Hong Kong International Mile last December and scored a tenacious half length win for Zac Purton.

 

&ldq

Advertisement
uo;We still won the race today and I’m very happy about that, but next time he runs we’ll definitely go to the front,” Cruz said after California Spangle stalked Healthy Happy before edging to the front in the straight and staving off Money Catcher and Beauty Joy late.

“It wasn’t his kind of race today, the time (1m 34.17s) was slow, too. I reckon next we’re definitely not going to run this way again. We’re not going to make the same mistake again – he should have led the race. He’s so used to going to the front, you can’t stop him. But today he still wins.”

With 10 wins and seven minor placings from 17 starts, California Spangle looms as one of Golden Sixty’s main rivals in the Group I FWD Champions Mile and Cruz is hopeful of upsetting Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse again.

“He’s (California Spangle) in top shape now and I reckon he’ll be ready for the 30th (of April). I’m very confident about my horse and I believe we still have a good chance (of beating Golden Sixty).”

California Spangle is the best of five winners from Pearlita’s Passion, a half-sister by High Chaparral to Group II winner Shakespearean.

Starspangledbanner has a great strike rate with daughters of High Chaparral with 14 winners from 18 runners and three stakes-winners that also include his Group I winning 2YO The Wow Signal.

Newgate Farm will stand Starspangledbanner’s Cox Plate winning son State of Rest (IRE) this spring at a fee of $44,000.

 

 

Advertisment

Race Result - The Chairman's Trophy Gr2 1600m

Sha Tin Track: G0 Time: 1:34.17
1
California Spangle
- 5g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Pearlitas Passion (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: Z Purton 58
Starspangledbanner
2
0.5
Money Catcher
- 5g Ferlax (NZ) x Warren's Sister (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: S De Sousa 56
3
1.0
Beauty Joy
- 6g Sebring (AUS) x Impressive Jeuney (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: M Chadwick 56
Sebring
4
1.3
Healthy Happy
- 6g Zoustar (AUS) x Lady Lakshmi (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: K C Leung 56
5
3.0
Running Glory
- 5g Kermadec (NZ) x Hannah Mary (NZ) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: L Currie 56
6
4.0
Tourbillon Diamond
- 6g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Modave (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: A Badel 56
7
4.3
Waikuku
- 8g Harbour Watch (IRE) x London Plane (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: K Teetan 56
8
5.5
Columbus County
- 7g Redwood (GB) x Spirit Of Sandford (NZ) (Kilimanjaro (GB))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: C Y Ho 56
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Starspangled Sprinter Wins in Dubai
There were no Aussie trained horses competing at the Dubai World Cup meeting overnight, but Australian jockey Brenton Avdulla was in the winner’s circle for the Group I Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) aboard the Irish bred and Hong Kong trained Starspangledbanner gelding California Spangle (IRE).
Second G1 for California Spangle
The Group I Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday drew a quality field with Irish bred Starspangledbanner gelding California Spangle (IRE) claiming the prize under a clever front running ride by Aussie jockey Brenton Avdulla.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.