Zac Purton will be ideally placed to attack Golden Sixty on Sunday as his mount California Spangle has drawn gate No 2 in the HK$30 million Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
While the rider refers to the challenge as “the impossible task”, he finds himself in the ideal position to take up his customary front-running role aboard last season’s Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) winner.
Golden Sixty is just two stalls away in gate No 4 and Purton plans to use the same tactics which so nearly paid off in last month’s Grade 2 Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m), when California Spangle was sent off favourite and went down by just a neck to Golden Sixty in an enthralling finish.
He said: “California Spangle seems to have developed nicely. He’s relaxing better now and we’ll go forward to lead again. We’ll try to get him settled and see what happens. We’ve not beaten Golden Sixty yet but we’re going to try, and the track conditions could suit us.”
California Spangle’s trainer, Tony Cruz, was similarly optimistic of pulling off the upset and added: “I’m very happy with that, it’s perfect in fact. We can use the usual tactics and get to the lead. Myself and my stable are confident of a very good run and we’re still planning ways to beat Golden Sixty.”
Purton partnered two-time Horse Of The Year and exceptional talent Beauty Generation to win his second Longines Hong Kong Mile in 2018 – a feat Golden Sixty will aim to eclipse on Sunday with a third win in the race – but believes Stanley Chan’s seven-year-old is among the best he has ever seen in Hong Kong.
He added: “Beating Golden Sixty is the impossible task. His biggest asset is his turn of foot and he can get himself out of trouble whether they go fast or slow. The only thing that beats him is bad luck.
“He’s the best horse I’ve seen in my time here, including the likes of Beauty Generation, Able Friend and Ambitious Dragon. None had the turn of foot he has. He’s phenomenal and a class above.”
However, like Cruz, Purton has not given up on trying to dethrone Golden Sixty. He believes Sunday’s 10-runner field could cause potential complications for the favourite.
He said: “In the last few years the top mile races in Hong Kong haven’t had much depth so even if he has been drawn out wide, he hasn’t had to go very far out. There will be a bigger field on Sunday, and it could pose a little bit more of a problem."
Cruz indicated Beauty Joy would sit in behind his stablemate from stall No 5, while Waikuku, who beat Golden Sixty in the Grade 1 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m in January when Purton was aboard, will break from stall No 9.
Last year’s Grade 1 NHK Mile Cup (1600m) winner Schnell Meister will break from barrier No 1 and Australian raider Laws Of Indices will have to contend with the widest stall in No 10 under James McDonald. – Hong Kong Jockey Cub
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Perfect Peach video replay showed last run was very good. He comes into a low barrier after drawn wide recently and can bounce back. Circuit Mighty was an easy last start winner and must be respected to be able to go on with it. Horsesain Bolt will win in this grade very soon. Adefill surprise tactics adopted last run when being ridden forward, he can improve ridden quieter. Wide Blue Yonder ran the second fastest sectional time last start.
Race 2: Mighty Stride created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented, he can win again. Nicetobemet newcomer who looks a winning chance in this race with some luck from the wide draw. The Hulk good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, chance to run well again with Moreira in the saddle. Turbo Power recent form is better than it reads and can run well here. Regency Bo Bo old-timer who is always capable of surprising and recent runs have been okay.
Race 3: Victor The Winner more than capable of winning again in this race but the speed map will prove key here with a few who can press forward and vie for the lead. Dragon’s Luck created a huge impression at local debut and looks talented. He can handle the rise in class but has a sticky gate to overcome. Science Patch nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Ready To Win turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and the speed map should be in his favour. Lord Thunder can improve second-up from a lengthy break.
Race 4: Glory Vase top class stayer from Japan who was the winner of this race last year (and in 2019) and will be hard to beat again under Moreira. Senor Toba Hong Kong’s best staying prospect who is reaching peak form and can go close here. Win Marilyn another talented stayer for Japan who will run well with an in-form Damian Lane in the saddle. Stone Age nice three-year-old colt with a good chance here for trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has won this race with two three-year-olds in the past: Highland Reel (2015) and Mogul (2020). Botanik handy French stayer who must be respected in this race.
Race 5: Lucky Sweynesse top class four-year-old who has done no wrong his short but impressive career to date and has drawn well low to get his chance at Group 1 glory. Wellington had excuses last start, pulling up lame, and forget the run. Expect a big return to form here. Meikei Yell talented Japanese mare and has a good chance here if she brings her A game. Cordyceps Six recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Resistencia runner-up in this race last year and can run a big race again with Moreira engaged to ride.
Race 6: Sweet Encounter top class four-year-old who looks hard to beat in this race as he chases two wins on end. He rises to the 1800m for the first time, which is the query, but he does no wrong in his races and should relish it. Woodfire Bro racing in career best form and must be rated a good chance to test the favourite. Powerful Wings showed no interest last start, forget the run and go on prior form. Secret Vision should be highly suited by the drop back in distance. Invincible Missile generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 7: Golden Sixty Hong Kong’s best horse who needs no introduction. Winner of the past two editions of this race and chases a historic third straight Hong Kong Mile. California Spangle a star on the rise in Hong Kong who faces his biggest test yet but will be toughing it out on-pace for a long while. Beauty Joy a bit erratic and hard to follow but has ability and can surprise. Danon Scorpion a proven performer at this level in Japan and rates in the chances.
Race 8: Romantic Warrior top class four-year-old who continues to thrive and impress. He faces his toughest race of his career so far on Sunday, but the speed map should suit and he, as well as every other horse, will be getting their chance. Panthalassa fascinating Japanese galloper who brings the X-Factor. He loves to jump and run and will be giving a massive sight, ensuring it’s a test of stamina till the end. Jack D’or another talented Japanese stayer who is a top chance and who can also show plenty of early speed. Geoglyph brings plenty of Group 1 form from Japan to the tables, demands plenty of respect. Lei Papale may lack the class of her compatriots, but has to be a player.
Race 9: Golden Express turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. He can win second-up for Size and Purton. Voyage Bubble solid effort last start when first-up for a while and must be rated chance to spring and upset on Golden Express. Big show under Moreira. Super Sunny Sing looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, he’s running well. Atullibigeal had genuine excuses last start, forced to make a mid-race move, and can improve in this race. Thesis having first start, not tested in recent trial, watch for betting support.
Race 10: A very open race to round out the card. Beauty Live can improve second-up from a break and he should map ideally from his low gate. Oriental Smoke nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to run well again. The Irishman had excuses last start and forget the run. Blaze Warrior goes well second-up from a break and his first-up run was highly likeable. Eason video replay showed last run was very good and he has since trialled well. Solid each-way claims.