California Spangle, backed from 20/1 to 13/1, surged to victory in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Gr1 in Hong Kong today. Under the guidance of jockey Brenton Avdulla, the Tony Cruz-trained star overcame any lingering doubts from the previous race over a mile, where he was fourth, to dominate the 1400m event.

Avdulla's masterful ride echoed the glory of California Spangle's Hong Kong Mile triumph in 2022, showcasing the horse's peak performance once again. This time, the victory came against formidable competition, with Lucky Sweynesse, touted as the world's best sprinter, falling short despite being in contention.

Securing an impressive second was Galaxy Patch, ridden by Mauritian maestro Karis Teetan, with Red Lion and Beauty Eternal following closely behind. Avdulla's control over the pace from the outset was a testament to his skill, as California Spangle dictated terms from the start, leaving rivals struggling to catch up.

Despite a wide position and a valiant effort, Lucky Sweynesse couldn't muster enough in the final stretch, yielding to California Spangle's dominance. He finished just 15 lengths off the winers after a less than optimal ride.

Tony Cruz confirmed that the Gr1 HK Mile winner will target Dubai next with Brenton Avdulla set to ride him.