Bracing for a heavyweight clash with Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior in the HK$12 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 29 January, California Spangle delighted Zac Purton with an authoritative Sha Tin trial performance on Friday morning (30 December).

Reprising a customary role as leader, the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) victor strode to the front from barrier rise and was never off the bit under Purton in clocking 1m 10.80s for the 1200m outing on the dirt course to cross the line first ahead of 64-rater Satirical Glory.

“He’s a little professional fella, he’s quick from the gates, he’s competitive when a horse comes next to him and I just love the way he moves – his action is great,” Purton said. “He’s a terrific little horse and it’s a pleasure to be on him again and he’s come through the trial well.”

Casting ahead to California Spangle’s return bouts with both Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior in a blockbuster meeting of Hong Kong’s three top-rated horses, Purton said: “It’s going to be a really tough race, isn’t it? I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it or worried about it.

“It’s a challenge. I think either one of the three horses could win it, of course. It depends what barriers we draw and how the race is going to be run. It’s exciting and it’s why we’re here – we’ve got to go head-to-head with the big boys.”

Rated 130, Golden Sixty shares Hong Kong’s top billing with Romantic Warrior, while California Spangle is next on 129.

The Stewards’ Cup meeting also features the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), heralding the start of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series which also includes the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

Also featuring in today’s trials was triple Group 1 winner Waikuku, who finished a close fourth behind Duke Wai (1m 11.32s) over 1200m, and G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) fourth place-getter Courier Wonder, who crossed the line in third placing this morning behind Great For You (1m 02.30s) over 1050m.