'Not many horses can do that' - California Spangle topples Golden Sixty in Mile

California Spangle denied Golden Sixty a third success in the Longines Hong Kong Mile, with the odds-on favourite beaten by a masterful tactical ride from Zac Purton at Sha Tin.

With Golden Sixty in his usual midfield position, Purton pressed ahead on the Tony Cruz-trained runner from two out and built enough of a lead to hold off the legendary home favourite and strike by a neck.

This was the four-year-old's first victory over Golden Sixty on his third attempt. He got within a neck on their last meeting in the Jockey Club Mile in November but reversed the form to provide a fourth Hong Kong Mile success for Purton and Cruz.

The winning jockey said: "He's very good. He's shown throughout his career he's a horse who deserves to be in the top echelon. It took Golden Sixty to beat him last time and I think he's the best I've seen since I've been here. There's no disgrace in that.

"He's a phenomenal horse and he's versatile. He's won over 1,000, 1,200, 1,600, 1,800 and just got beat over 2000 [metres] Not many horses can do that."

Golden Sixty has been the dominant force in Hong Kong for the last three years, with this just his fourth defeat from 26 starts.

"My horse ran very well and I'm happy for him," said jockey Vincent Ho. "The other one had good pace and saved all the ground."

Warrior victorious

Longines Hong Kong Cup leading fancy Romantic Warrior prevailed in emphatic style for James McDonald and Danny Shum.

The four-year-old dominated from the front to take his career record to nine wins from ten starts by four and a half lengths. This was just his second victory at the top level but he was sent off odds-on having won well on his return at the course last month.

Romantic Warrior: landed the Hong Kong Cup for James McDonald and Danny ShumCredit: Hkjc

McDonald, who was claiming his first Hong Kong Cup success, said: "I didn't think he'd win like that but the quality of this horse is amazing. His turn of foot is incredible. He has everything a good horse should have and he has it in spades. This was the race here in Hong Kong I wanted to win."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Order Of Australia, partnered by Ryan Moore, was always in the rear and finished 11th in the 12-strong field.

Moore magic

Wellington completed an extraordinary comeback to land the Sprint and deliver Moore his eighth top-level victory in Hong Kong.

The six-year-old was involved in a four-horse pile-up in the race last year, an incident described as "grotesque" by trainer Richard Gibson, who said the horse was lucky to be alive.

Yet Wellington has flourished since, with this a third success at the top level. He also recovered from lameness following his last run at Sha Tin three weeks ago, while Moore replaced regular rider Alexis Badel, who was out with a shoulder injury.

Gibson, who hinted at Royal Ascot for a potential 2023 target, said: "We're all part of a really big team, Alexis is a huge part of that and I'm gutted for him to miss it but so proud of my guys.

"We had a lot of work to do after his disappointing run last time out and we've got a great veterinary team, chiropractors, there's a lot of people to thank. We had to be a bit patient but I was pleased we hadn't missed work with him."

Moore completed a double on the card after partnering Blaze Warrior to win the Highland Reel Handicap for trainer John Size.

Buick denied

William Buick's Godolphin mount Botanik finished second in the Longines Hong Kong Vase after the Japanese-trained Win Marilyn ran out a comfortable winner.

It was a first victory at the meeting for Australian jockey Damian Lane and trainer Takahisa Tezuka, while Buick stepped in on the Andre Fabre-trained runner-up after Mickael Barzalona was sidelined with Covid.

The O'Brien-trained Stone Age was sent off favourite but could finish only fifth, three places ahead of stablemate Broome. German raider Mendocino reared as the stalls opened and refused to race.

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