California Spangle Back With A Bang In Sha Tin Group 2

Sunday saw the returning California Spangle (5g Starspangledbanner - Pearlitas Passion, by High Chaparral) lead home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy.

The Tony Cruz-trained bay won last year’s running in fine style before capturing the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile and the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy. He was partnered by Hugh Bowman for the first time on his seasonal return and adopted the same tactics as 12 months ago by making all of the running. Ridden with a furlong and a half to race, he kept on strongly to score by half a length from the progressive Encountered (Churchill), with another half a length back to the favourite Beauty Eternal (Starspangledbanner) in third.

Sunday marked a fifth Group win overall for California Spangle, who has won 11 starts and placed on all others. Owned by Howard Liang Yum Shing, MC Bloodstock’s €150,000 yearling buy was bred by M Enright.