Racing: Jumpout win for Babilloni

Babilloni makes an immediate impression with a jumpout win over Swiss Alps at Wingatui yesterday....
Babilloni makes an immediate impression with a jumpout win over Swiss Alps at Wingatui yesterday. Photo by Matt Smith.

A recent arrival to Otago was in winning form at the Otago Racing Club jumpouts at Wingatui yesterday.

Babilloni, a winner of two races from 39 starts in the North Island, came south from Te Akau's Matamata stables after finishing seventh at Taupo on December 30.

"He's probably only been down six weeks,'' trainer Amber Hoffman said.

"He only had two weeks off after he raced at Taupo and then he was straight on the truck.''

The 5yr-old son of Cecconi won two years ago at Wairoa and at Hastings in January last year, but has shown glimpses of ability on other occasions, such as his fast-finishing fifth behind Always On My Mind at a premier meeting at Te Rapa in February of last year.

"He won two up there and he had been put in all the premier days, so he should do all right down here.''

Babilloni's two wins came at 1300m and 1400m but Hoffman expects to end up with him going 200m further.

"He's a better miler but he probably will need another run before I put him over a mile [1600m],'' she said.

The gelding's debut run for Hoffman could come at the Beaumont Racing Club's dual-code meeting with the Forbury Park Trotting Club at Wingatui on March 21.

Macy won the 1000m maiden heat, easing down to the line to win in 1.03.83, half a head in front of the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained Kona.

Macy's trainer, Terry Kennedy, said the daughter of Darci Brahma would probably make her debut over 1200m at Wingatui on March 21.

Swiss Alps, who ran second to Babilloni, is the most likely of the Anderton runners to start at Wingatui on March 21. Co-trainer Shane Anderton said the son of Swiss Ace had grown considerably during his most recent spell.

Training partner Brian Anderton said a tendon injury had ruled out promising jumper Harry Hill for at least the next 12 months if not longer.

The son of Danzighill won two hurdle races and a steeplechase last winter after winning a maiden hurdle in 2014.

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