Second to Golden Sixty in the Group 1 Champions Mile and Group II Jockey Club Mile, California Spangle (IRE) took revenge on the reigning champion in Sunday’s $5million The Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.
Ridden by Zac Purton for Tony Cruz, the Irish-bred son of Starspangledbanner got first run on Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro). Winner of the last two editions, Golden Sixty, tried his heart out to reduce the margin to a neck on the line.
The Australian representative Laws Of Indices (IRE) (Power) ran a cracker and was a further length and a quarter back in third.
A €150,000 purchase for Mc Bloodstock at the 2020 Goffs UK and Arqana Breeze Up Sale, California Spangle (IRE) boast a phenomenal strike rate of nine wins and five seconds from 14 starts.
A half-brother to stakes-placed Wychwood Warrior (Lope de Vega), California Spangle (IRE) is the best of five winners from six to race for the High Chaparral (IRE) mare Pearlitas Passion a half-sister to Group II Hungerford Stakes winner Shakepearion (Shanardal).
Starspangledbanner has three catalogued for the Magic Millions and one at the Inglis Classic