Hong Kong Derby Goal for Street Boss Gelding with Atullibigeal

Media Release - Monday February 20

A tilt at Hong Kong’s most coveted prize is on the agenda for Atullibigeal after his victory in the Class 3 TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Hugh Bowman drives Atullibigeal to victory over 1600m at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo: HKJC

Stepping up to a mile for the second time in his career, Atullibigeal raised the bar once more to score his fourth career victory and put him in line for some major feature targets.

“Definitely, the Derby will be the aim. I think he’ll run the distance and he’s got enough points there – he’s a worthy runner,” Hall said.

“I think today’s win will just about guarantee he gets a run (in the Derby). He won’t run in the (Hong Kong) Classic Cup and what path we take to get there – I am not sure of yet.

“He’s shown a lot at home – he’s loaded with raw ability and today it was a tricky draw and there was a fair bit of pressure early on which we didn’t quite expect.”

Atullibigeal captured his second triumph in Hong Kong for Hall and Bowman after arriving as a two-time winner from New Zealand. 

“I had visions about riding a more positive race on him but that was taken out of my hands, so I just let him find his rhythm and he just came through his gears really well, I had a smooth passage and he let down really well,” jockey Hugh Bowman said.

Advertisement

“I think he’s up to better classes but he’s not quite the finished article yet but, my word, he’s taking his job really seriously and I’m really proud of him.”

Atullibigeal’s victory was one of four for Hall at Sha Tin on Sunday, including New Zealand-bred Beluga who posted his second win from five starts this prep, placing in his three other outings.

Atullibigeal was originally offered through Leanach Lodge’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft but failed to reach his $80,000 reserve.

He subsequently entered the care of Te Awamutu trainer Carl Henderson for whom he won two of his five starts, including the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in his last New Zealand outing, and placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m).

Atullibigeal will be looking to extend New Zealand’s strong record in the Hong Kong Derby, with New Zealand sourced horses having won four of the last five editions of the rich feature. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.