He conquered Dubai’s Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) on Saturday and now Tony Cruz is eyeing a potential Japanese raid with record-breaker California Spangle.

Cruz knows exactly what it takes to win the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama racecourse and California Spangle may bid to emulate Silent Witness in the contest at the end of September.

While the legendary trainer was toying with a trip to Royal Ascot after California Spangle heroically defeated a stellar field on the Meydan turf, the 67-year-old is favouring a return to the scene of Silent Witness’ 2005 triumph.

“I had [Royal Ascot] in mind but I’d say it’s doubtful to be honest,” Cruz said. “I’ll talk to the owners, but the Sprinters Stakes in Japan is really tempting.

“In England there isn’t too much prize money, but in Japan there is good money and it’s almost a package deal – I like that.

“It was my 12th attempt in Dubai so it was about time I pulled something off. He’s an out-and-out sprinter now. He likes fast tracks and if you let him run, he can make these record times.”

California Spangle blazed a trail to break the 1,200m track record at Meydan and will now have his sights set on next month’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m).

The Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) could be on the agenda for Straight Arron, who was by no means disgraced in sixth in the Group One Dubai Turf (2,000m), while Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is yet to decide on Voyage Bubble’s next assignment after his luckless 13th in the contest.

“It was exciting, he’s run a bottler against the best – we’re very proud,” Fownes said of Straight Arron. “I thought we had a live chance at the 300m. He was coming strong.

“He’s entered for the QE II, but when he goes back he’ll work out of quarantine and if he pulls up well, of course we’ll push on.”

Straight Arron may be set for a rematch with the Dubai Turf winner, Facteur Cheval, after trainer Jerome Reynier suggested a trip over to Hong Kong could be on the cards for his five-year-old.

“It depends how he recovers but he can stay here and take it easy. He’s adapted very well here and seems very happy, so maybe we could try Hong Kong next for the QE II Cup at the end of April,” said the French trainer.

After a string of near-misses at Group One level, Facteur Cheval prevailed in a tight tussle with Japanese raider Namur, who finished third in December’s Group One Hong Kong Mile.

The French trainer has previously sent two gallopers to Hong Kong, with Skalleti and Royal Julius competing at the international meeting in 2020.

Macau bids farewell

As $17 chance Top Mountain God passed the Taipa winning post in first under French rider Charles Perkins on Saturday, the Macau Jockey Club [MJC] called time on its 35-year history.

The MJC’s final meeting came just 75 days after the Macau government’s January announcement that the concession to run the sport would cease on April 1, with a bumper crowd of residents and tourists flocking to the racecourse to say goodbye.

The government confirmed racing activities were “failing to generate the economic and social benefits they should”, with the Macau Horse Racing Company admitting to severe financial difficulties and a loss of over 2.5 billion patacas (US$310 million).

Last weekend’s Hong Kong Derby-winning trainer Dennis Yip Chor-hong was in attendance for the meeting and commented on the atmosphere.

“It was a lovely day, but of course it was also sad,” Yip said. “Over 30 years of Macau racing just gone. There were many people there. A lot came to see the last day.

“It felt very different. All the people, the trainers, the jockeys, they were very upset.”

Yip was back in the winners’ enclosure on Sunday at Sha Tin, celebrating Phoenix Light’s victory under Ellis Wong Chi-wang in the Class Four Lee Woo Sing Alumni Handicap (1,200m).

After collecting his 17th win of the campaign, Yip was full of praise for the 10-pound claimer.

“Ellis followed all my instructions, it was a great ride,” Yip said. “He got in a good position, made sure the horse was balanced and didn’t use the whip too early. It was great.”

Hayes strides on

David Hayes’ recent purple patch continued at Sha Tin, with Young Horizon’s Class Five New Asia Alumni Handicap (1,400m) win marking the handler’s seventh victory from the past five meetings.

After a bumpy 2022-23 campaign, Hayes has enjoyed a successful season and was delighted to break into the top five in the trainers’ championship.

“I’m very happy because I’m back in the top five with only 48 horses,” Hayes said. “We’re having a good season. When I was here for the first 10 years I was never outside the top five, so getting back in the top five is nice.”

Hayes, who moved to 35 winners for the season thanks to the son of Star Witness, was particularly satisfied to break back into the upper echelon of the championship after losing plenty of gallopers last term.

“It’s taken a bit longer but I lost 27 horses last year – a bit like Benno [Yung Tin-pang] this year. I thought the horses raced well last year, but all of my best chances got taken away. This year the owners have left the horses with me and I’m really pleased their patience is starting to pay off.”