Thwarted by bad luck this season, Atullibigeal (Street Boss) deservedly clinched the HK$2.84 million Class 2 TVB Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday for trainer David Hall as Brenton Avdulla extended a powerful mid-season surge.
Beaten a short head when second in the Class 1 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m) and a close fourth in the Class 1 Panasonic Handicap (1400m), Atullibigeal bravely threaded narrow gaps in the straight today to fend off Superb Boy (Nicconi) and Drombeg Banner (Starspangledbanner) after 2.2 favourite Global Harmony (NZ) (Shamexpress) refused to leave the barriers under Zac Purton.
“A little bit disappointing he wasn’t able to win the Chevalier Cup or the Panasonic Cup – he was unlucky in both those races, so (it’s) rewarding to get this race today and hopefully he’s not finished with yet,” Hall said.
“We had the barrier (gate three) and it looked like he was going to get a good run, but obviously he was in a bit of a pocket there and had to find room. But he got clear and he’s shown before he can be brave in between horses and he certainly was again today.”
“Atullibigeal was good,” Avdulla said. “Good result – I thought I had one of those books where things would need to go right for me to ride a winner, but everything has worked out well. Can’t complain.”
Formerly trained in New Zealand by Carl Henderson, Atullibigeal’s two wins included the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) as a two-year-old.
