Ben Thompson will maintain the ride on Bundle Award in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), while three-time Group One winner California Spangle is bound for the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) after his racing future came into question.
Thompson has a golden opportunity to strike on his first ride in the city’s most coveted race after booting home the John Size-trained Bundle Award in Sunday’s Class Two Carpenter Handicap (1,800m).
The Australian jockey, who has ridden in Hong Kong since February last year, was pumped to retain the mount and is confident Bundle Award will thrive stepping up to 2,000m.
“It was a huge result to get on the horse and to win on him was fantastic,” Thompson said of Bundle Award’s fast-finishing victory by a length and a quarter on Sunday.
“He looks the right horse, he couldn’t be in better hands with John Size and I hope it’s meant to be.
“He was great at the 1,800m and especially he really showed versatility, the way he settled back on Sunday and showed a lethal turn of foot. Before that, he sat close to the speed and was three pairs back when he won his first race in Hong Kong. There’s no reason to suggest he won’t run the trip out strong.”
Bundle Award was handed a much-needed penalty of 11 points for his second triumph in the city, with his new mark of 86 putting him safely in the Derby field.
The son of Shamus Award also won over 1,400m in January when ridden by James McDonald and up to 1,600m in three consecutive starts in Australia pre-import.
Meanwhile, California Spangle led all the way to comfortably win a star-studded dirt trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning as he prepares for another clash with star sprinter Ka Ying Rising.
Brenton Avdulla fired Tony Cruz’s stable star to the front in the 1,200m heat and he kept on well under little pressure to beat last-start Sha Tin winner Invincible Shield.
Connections and Cruz met to discuss the possibility of retiring California Spangle after his fading sixth in last month’s Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m), but they opted to give him another shot to turn his form around in the Sprint Cup on March 30.
“He trialled just as good as ever – I’m happy with him,” Cruz said.
“We’ll see. We’re planning for the race at the end of the month – the Sprint Cup. The signs are good.”
Quality miler Galaxy Patch warmed up for the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) on March 30 when he ran on strongly from last for third in Tuesday’s trial.
Size’s Group One placegetter Helios Express, who will take on the likes of Ka Ying Rising and California Spangle in the Sprint Cup, was close behind in fourth.
Group One winner Beauty Eternal, Ensued and Red Lion were under firm holds when they finished towards the rear in the same trial.
