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| Staff Writer |
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California Spangle, showing signs of age-related decline in speed, remains in contention to defend his Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint crown at Meydan, trainer Tony Cruz confirms.
The 7YO is bypassing this weekend's Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup, avoiding a clash with speedster Ka Ying Rising, instead targeting the Gr.1 Stewards' Cup over the mile.
"As horses get older they lose their early speed and we're finding at 1,200m the other horses are much too fast for him now. He's not as fast as when he was young," Cruz said of his accomplished campaigner.
The son of Starspangledbanner needs to demonstrate significant improvement to warrant the Dubai trip. His recent form includes a fourth in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint, finishing two lengths behind Ka Ying Rising, followed by a disappointing ninth in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup.
Cruz remains optimistic about the straight course at Meydan suiting his charge: "I do think he's better running in a straight line than going around a turn but we're not sure [about the Al Quoz Sprint] because of his performances so far this season."
The veteran faces a stern test in the US$1.67 million Stewards' Cup against formidable opponents including Hong Kong Mile victor Voyage Bubble, Galaxy Patch, Beauty Eternal and Patch Of Theta, who bested him in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup.
Last season's blueprint offers hope, with California Spangle winning the Gr.1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup before his Dubai triumph. Cruz notes: "Last season he won the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup before going to Dubai and if he wins that again we will think about going."
Looking ahead, Cruz acknowledges the challenges of maintaining Group One competition: "We're stuck in an environment where we have to keep going at Group One level but when the time comes that he's not performing any more, it will be time to retire him."
The stable's Sunday runners include Beauty Joy in the feature, while Cruz fields seven contenders at Happy Valley on Wednesday: Kasa Papa, Wah May Wai Wai, Whizz Kid, Parents' Love, Winning Heart, Beato and Gustosisimo.