Cruz plots a way to slay the Dragon

Tony Cruz believes barrier one and a pre-race pep talk for jockey Matthew Chadwick can turn California Memory into a 'dragon slayer' in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

Ambitious Dragon got the better of California Memory in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup earlier this year and Cruz has been itching for a rematch ever since, believing his horse was unlucky in the pair's only previous meeting.

'We're in for a fight and we have a real shot at it,' he said. 'Last time in the QE II we lost a few lengths at the start and we got too far back. Ambitious Dragon only beat us by three-quarters of a length.'

Cruz is adamant gate one is the best place from which to spring an upset, despite the reservations of Chadwick, who would have preferred a wider draw.

'What is he worried about? You can use the gate to your advantage,' Cruz said. 'You make the best of it. Compare it to last year in the QE II where he lost too much ground from a wide draw and we couldn't catch him [Ambitious Dragon].'

Chadwick has ridden the horse for luck in two starts this preparation, with contrasting results. California Memory produced a stunning last-to-first burst to win the Sha Tin Trophy first-up, but struck traffic when trying to weave a passage from the rear in the Jockey Club Cup, where he was beaten into fourth as favourite.