California Spangle will look to become the first top weight to win the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) in seven years at Sha Tin on Sunday and Tony Cruz hopes Hong Kong’s forecast wet weather holds out long enough to give his superstar every chance of finishing his sparkling season on a high.

Runner-up last start when encountering a yielding track for the first time in his career in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m), California Spangle showed when winning the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on a day featuring persistent drizzle that he doesn’t mind cut in the ground, but on this occasion Cruz believes good ground is key.

“He’s ready for this race and I hope the ground is good – if the ground is soft the big weight will be a big disadvantage for him. It looks like there is rain on Saturday and Sunday, but I hope it turns out to be a nice day,” said Cruz.

Sunday’s assignment will mark the first time California Spangle has raced past April since his debut campaign in 2020-21, and the first time he has raced at the course and distance since that Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup success in March.

“I think 1,400m is more of his distance really,” Cruz said of California Spangle, who also bagged the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) in Dubai in March.

“I didn’t want to spell him too long this time – last season he went almost six months between runs, which is too long for him to wait.”

Jockey Brenton Avdulla sticks with California Spangle after partnering him in both of his recent top-level successes and believes he can match it with the likes of Taj Dragon (120 pounds), Flying Ace (116) and Mugen (115) despite lugging 135 pounds.

“I’m looking forward to it. He’s in good form. Even though it’s only a Group Three, it’s a big ask having to give 15-20 pounds to most of his rivals towards the end of the season, but he’s trialled well in between and Tony wouldn’t be running him unless he thought he was in good order,” Avdulla said.

After saddling California Spangle in the first of Sunday’s features, Cruz will enter the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) with a four-strong hand.

Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) placegetters Five G Patch and La City Blanche step back in trip, Beauty Joy steps up after running third in the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) earlier this month and The Best Peach re-enters open company after running second in this race 12 months ago.

“It’s too short for Five G Patch and La City Blanche but I have to run them – what else are you going to do? The other two will have a better chance,” Cruz said of his chances in a race headlined by rising star Galaxy Patch.

Also among Cruz’s 13-strong Sha Tin hand is ex-Singapore galloper Young Superstar, who saluted comfortably on Hong Kong debut three weeks ago and will look to make it two from two in the city in the Class Three Sapphire Handicap (1,200m).

“He likes to be out in front and this is how we’re going to ride him again,” Cruz said.

“It wasn’t a surprise last start – I said that if he got to the front that he could win it and he did exactly that. He’s a young, improving horse and he’s got a chance again.”