Atullibigeal and Champion Instinct will headline David Hall’s Sha Tin assault on Sunday and the veteran handler is confident his duo will figure prominently in their respective races.
Hall, who won last month’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) with Invincible Sage, has loaded up with a team of nine starters on the 10-race programme.
Consistent galloper Atullibigeal will chase a third victory this season when he takes on just five rivals in the Class One Racing Heritage Handicap (1,400m).
An honest performer with only one finish outside the top five this term, the Street Boss gelding made up a stack of ground after jumping fairly to run an eye-catching fourth to Supreme Lucky last start.
Global Harmony takes no part again! 😳
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 18, 2024
Atullibigeal lands the Class 2 TVB Cup at Sha Tin to cap a double for an in-form @brentonavdulla... #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Pi9WZi4Kdd
He drops 10 pounds on that effort to carry 122 and reunites with champion jockey Zac Purton.
“He’s a consistent horse, he runs well all the time,” Hall said. “A handicap race for him is probably a good opportunity.
“He perhaps might be looking for a little bit longer these days, but hopefully he’s still got a bit of freshness in his legs at 1,400m.”
Atullibigeal again clashes with Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Supreme Lucky and gets a nine-pound swing in his favour for a length-and-a-half defeat.
Healthy Happy (135 pounds), Taj Dragon (126), Packing Treadmill (123) and Wonder Kit (115) are the other starters in the Class One.
Hall’s hopes for a bounce-back performance from Champion Instinct were dealt a blow when he drew barrier 10 in the Class Three Levade Handicap (1,200m).
After notching an impressive hat-trick at Class Four level, the progressive sprinter was trapped wide throughout on top of the speed and folded in the straight to run fifth to Hasten Delight in Class Three last start.
“He had a tough run,” Hall said. “He had a bit of an ordinary draw [barrier nine] and was working on a fast speed to get to the position he had to.
Red-hot form! Champion Instinct racks up a hat-trick of wins for @Atzenijockey and David Hall... 🔥 #HKracing pic.twitter.com/flFJVZicx5
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 16, 2024
“He was a little bit weak late, but he’s still in good order. He’s a healthy horse and hopefully he can have a bit more of an economical run and we’ll see how he measures up at the grade.”
Andrea Atzeni retains the ride on Champion Instinct, who bumps into a competitive field featuring Full Credit, Super Joy N Fun, Magnificent Nine and Lady’s Choice.
Mr Good Vibes, Thunderboltaurus B, Mr Energia, Flying Mojito, Grand Conqueror, Golden Darci and Kempes will also represent the Hall stable on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Hall is weighing up whether to extend Invincible Sage’s campaign to the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) on June 2.
Sweet run! Invincible Sage swoops to his first Group 1 in the Chairman's Sprint Prize for @HugeBowman and David Hall... 👌#FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/aPgrlIdONY
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 28, 2024
In a career-best performance, the former Australian sprinter relished a rain-affected track to comfortably account for California Spangle in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize on April 28.
Hall confirmed stablemate Flying Ace, who ran fourth in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, will proceed to the Sha Tin Vase.
“Flying Ace will definitely run. Invincible Sage, I’m still a little bit undecided,” Hall said. “I’ll probably make a decision next week. We’ll just see how he does. He’s up in Conghua at the moment.”
Ka Ying Rising will be one of the headline acts in the Sha Tin Vase, with David Hayes’ exciting sprinter set to chase a fourth consecutive victory in the biggest test of his fledgling career.