Course Record-Breaking Tour de Force by California Spangle in Al Quoz Sprint

Mark Smith - Sunday March 31

Brenton Avdulla guided the Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle to a famous win for Hong Kong in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night.

The world is watching (image Grant Courtney)

Always in the first couple, the Irish-bred son of Starspangledbanner kept up a relentless gallop to hold the challenge of Godolphin’s 3-year-old Kodiac filly Star Of Mystery by three-quarters of a length with Diligent Harry the same distance back in third.

California Spangle stopped the clock at 1:07.50.

A €150,000 Goffs Orby purchase for MC Bloodstock from The Castlebridge Consignment, California Spangle advances his record to 13 wins and eight placings from 25 starts. 

Winning trainer Tony Cruz said: “I knew it would happen sooner or later. I got this opportunity and I came with a lot of confidence that we would win this race today.

“The family - the ‘California family’ - is here today. Howard Liang, whose horses usually are named California, passed away recently so I would like to dedicate this win to him. We are over the moon with this, the owner’s wish was always to win these big races. I wish he was here tonight but his whole family is here and we’re going to celebrate together.

“If you look back through his history, California Spangle on his debut, he ran a record time in Hong Kong and he ran a record time at 1200m. I believe when he hits the front, nobody can catch him. 

"I think we’ll go into sprint races back in Hong Kong, that’s the end of April [the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize]. We’ll take on Lucky Sweynesse. He’s always been a sprinter-miler and I believe he’s more a sprinter than a miler. You have to go for those longer races in Hong Kong earlier in their career, but I think we know where he is best now."

What a night for Hong Kong (image Grant Courtney)

California Spangle is the best of five winners from six to race for the High Chaparral mare Pearlitas Passion, a half-sister to the Group II Hungerford Stakes winner Shakespearian (Shamardal).

Starspangledbanner was back at Coolmore Australia last spring and covered 116 mares at a fee of $33,000.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
California Spangle Wins G2 Chairman’s Trophy
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.