The ‘big goof’ goes great
Strapping 2-year-old star Atullibigeal gained revenge on his last-start conqueror when he strode clear in the closing stages to win the Futurity Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday.
The Carl Henderson-trained son of Street Boss had been narrowly beaten by the filly Lady Maroal when the pair clashed in the Champagne Stakes at the venue last month.
Atullibigeal had led and been run down by the Nigel Tiley-trained filly, but this time around, the race tactics were turned upside down as both well-fancied candidates were towards the rear throughout.
Rider Sam Collett made her move on Lady Maroal rounding the home bend as she swooped up wide to take the lead, tracked at every stride by Andrew Calder aboard Atullibigeal.
The pair set down to fight out the finish, with Atullibigeal going clear in the final stages to win impressively by three lengths from Lady Maroal, with debutant There You Go third.
Henderson had been worried his charge had done too well during his time off between starts, but was relieved to see him win in the manner he had been hoping for.
“We gave him 10 days off after his last run and he thrived,” Henderson said. “In fact, he probably did too well, so I was a little worried it might tell in the closing stages.
“Thankfully, he was quite explosive and very strong to the line and that is how he is at home when he is working, as he will just take off when you give him a squeeze.
“He is still a big goof though and has a lot of maturing left to do.”
Henderson has ambitious plans for his charge.
“We have always thought he will be best as a 3-year-old, so what he is doing now is really just a bonus. He will most likely go back to the paddock for another short break and then we will look at possibly taking him to Melbourne.
“Our main goal is the New Zealand Derby but he is also Super Vobis qualified, so he could head over to Melbourne and run around for some really good money in his own class. I don’t think the 2000 Guineas here is for him, so an Australian campaign might be best for his development.
“I have only a small team, so a trip over there might be a career highlight if he goes well. It is exciting to think you have one good enough to have options ahead of him.”
● Promising galloper Dawn Parade showed he will be a force to be reckoned with next season when he downed a handy field of 3-year-olds over 1400m. The Tony Pike-trained son of Dawn Approach has taken his time to get his head around the racing game but has now put together back-to-back victories that indicate he is starting to get the hang of it all. — NZ Racing Desk