A surprise phone call from a former stable client involved in the ownership group of Babalola was instrumental in the horse coming into the Hope Racing stable. Arriving in mid February, the horse has thrived in his new environment and it was a satisfying result when the horse recorded his Maiden victory at the Cranbourne night meeting on April 19 in his second start for the stable.
Babalola posses natural gate speed and broke the barriers extremely quickly to take up the leading role. Travelling with his ears pricked under jockey Tahlia Hope, the 4YO son of Nostradamus responded well at the top of the straight to kick clear and space his rivals. Under hands and heels riding he proved far too strong for his opposition over the concluding stages of the race and scored an easy win at the finish in the Grand Ridge Arenas Maiden Plate over 1000m.
Making the seven hour trek to Cranbourne to watch was Part Owner, Kyle Hore and his travelling buddy, Jacob Simpson as pictured in the winners enclosure after the race with stable representative, Tim Eurell.
Originating from the Peter Moody stable and offered as an unraced 3YO in the Inglis Online Digitial October Sale in 2022 , the horse was purchased by the ownership group headed by Frank Macheda. Commencing his racing career under Berrigan Trainer, Paul McVicar, Babalola has now doubled his purchase price in his 9 starts and has only missed earning prizemoney on two ocassions. No doubt with his advantageous racing pattern there will be more wins in store for the lightly raced gelding especially heading into the Winter months.
We congratulate all his Owners, led by Managing Owner Frank, Macheda, along with Craig Brown, Darren Bennett, Steve Radcliffe, Brian McLeod, Lachlan Brown, Hayden Brown,Jason Stephens, Jamerson McCluskey, Kyle Hoare, Darren Blacker, Debbie, Sophie, Nichloas and Samuel Macheda.