Tony Cruz has no interest in pitting the ageing California Spangle against the rapid Ka Ying Rising this weekend but he hasn’t ruled out a return to a sprinting trip for his stable star, who he admits simply isn’t as fast as he used to be.

While California Spangle will dodge Ka Ying Rising and the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) in favour of the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) this weekend, the seven-year-old remains a chance to defend his Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) crown down the Meydan straight on Dubai World Cup night in April.

“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 three-time Group One winner.

“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.

“Last season he won the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) before going to Dubai and if he wins that again we will think about going.

“We will enter the Al Quoz Sprint but going is another thing. If he can win that race it will show his form is at a level that will make it worthwhile going.”

Cruz will have to orchestrate a serious form reversal if California Spangle is to be a winning chance in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on February 23, however it was around this time last year the son of Starspangledbanner started to find improvement.

Thirteenth in the 2023 Group One Hong Kong Mile before running seventh in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) on New Year’s Day 2024, California Spangle then ran fourth in the Stewards’ Cup before winning the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the Al Quoz Sprint.

This season the gelding ran fourth in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), only two lengths behind Ka Ying Rising, before a disappointing ninth when taken on for the lead in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup 12 days ago.

California Spangle tackles the likes of reigning Hong Kong Mile champion Voyage Bubble, Galaxy Patch, Beauty Eternal and his recent Chinese Club Challenge Cup conqueror Patch Of Theta in this weekend’s Stewards’ Cup – the galloper’s first run at a mile in 12 months.

“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,” said Cruz, who also saddles up Beauty Joy in Sunday’s HK$13 million feature.

Before turning his attention to the Stewards’ Cup, Cruz heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night with seven runners – Kasa Papa, Wah May Wai Wai, Whizz Kid, Parents’ Love, Winning Heart, Beato and Gustosisimo.