By Jack Dawling
Legendary trainer Tony Cruz will throw Californiatotality into the deep end for the Group 3 Premier Plate (1,800 meters) next month after his four-year-old fought to a narrow success in the feature at Happy Valley last night.
While Californiatotality has become accustomed to returning to the Sha Tin winner's enclosure this season, Cruz's versatile galloper got his first taste of the Happy Valley winner's circle thanks to a powerful late drive under Alexis Badel in the Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap over 1,650m.
"What a perfect race," Cruz told The Standard. "I know this distance is a bit short for him, but when he got a good gate I thought he had a good chance."
Californiatotality began the 2024-25 season off a rating of 59 and despite being handed a series of horrific draws – he has jumped from double-figure gates on eight of his 10 runs – Cruz's gutsy four-year-old has continued to climb through the grades and to a rating of 87.
Badel steered Californiatotality to success at Sha Tin last time out and repeated that feat under the Happy Valley lights last night when he capitalized on a favorable draw in barrier two.
Californiatotality hugged the rail in third behind an even early pace, but didn't appear to be traveling best of the seven-runner field when the French jockey was the first to ask his mount for a response turning for home.
But Californiatotality continued to rally when he switched to the inside rail and found enough in the closing stages to overhaul warm favorite Soleil Fighter in the final 50m.
After securing his fifth win of the campaign, Californiatotality, who failed to figure in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby, will be sent into Group 3 company next month for the Premier Plate.
While Cruz said his hand has been somewhat forced by the lack of options available for Californiatotality, the trainer believes the three-time winner over Sha Tin's 1,800m course can thrive over his optimum trip.
"I'm very happy with him and his next race will be over 1,800m in the Premier Plate because there is no other race I can run him in and nowhere I can go," Cruz added with a laugh.
"But I think 1,800m will be perfect for him and who knows, maybe he will be a G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup horse for next year over 2,400m."
