Son Of Starspangledbanner All Class In Group 2 Contest

California Spangle (4g Starspangledbanner - Pearlitas Passion, by High Chaparral) made it two from two this season with a dominant display in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy worth HK$5million.

The Tony Cruz-trained bay made an impressive return in last month’s Group 3 Celebration Cup, to continue his admirable record of having never finished outside the first two. Stepping back up to a mile on Sunday, he was sent off favourite under Zac Purton, who asked him to quicken from two furlongs out. Ridden upon entering the final furlong, he kept on strongly to win by a length and a half.

“I don’t think he could’ve had it any easier than what he did,” Purton declared after the race.

A rematch with Hong Kong’s top miler Golden Sixty is now on the cards for California Spangle, having finished second to the six-year-old in last season’s Group 1 Champions Mile. On his chances, Purton commented, “He’s still probably got the edge on us, but we’re improving, and we look forward to the battle.”

Now an eight-time winner from 12 starts, California Spangle has earned over £2.7million for owner Howard Liang Yum Shing. The son of Starspangledbanner was bred by M Enright and sold to MC Bloodstock as a yearling for €150,000.