Babette's Feast rallies late to win
Wednesday, 28 Jan 2026
Babette's Feast got it right in her fifth attempt at the races - winning her 1450m Maiden at the Vaal on Wednesday - overdue as a result of her still learning to race.
"She always seems to make heavy weather of it," said Callan Murray, who was niggling at the filly a long way out. "The plan was to bounce her out early, but she didn't begin that well and the pace changed. She got behind a few others, and I had to get after her early. But she looked like the best horse in the race and I'm glad she won today."
Babette's Feast looked like she was battling to get to the front-runner, Hot Cocao, but when she finally got next to her, she rallied strongly and won well.
Mathew de Kock said: "She seems to have taken time to figure out what it's all about, but maybe now that she has confidence she can go on and win more races, she's a beautiful looking filly."
Babette's Feast was raised at Ridgemont and races for the farm's Craig Kieswetter, and Devin Heffer of Hollywood Racing. She is by Hawwaam out of a mare by Antonius Pius.
"She always seems to make heavy weather of it," said Callan Murray, who was niggling at the filly a long way out. "The plan was to bounce her out early, but she didn't begin that well and the pace changed. She got behind a few others, and I had to get after her early. But she looked like the best horse in the race and I'm glad she won today."
Babette's Feast looked like she was battling to get to the front-runner, Hot Cocao, but when she finally got next to her, she rallied strongly and won well.
Mathew de Kock said: "She seems to have taken time to figure out what it's all about, but maybe now that she has confidence she can go on and win more races, she's a beautiful looking filly."
Babette's Feast was raised at Ridgemont and races for the farm's Craig Kieswetter, and Devin Heffer of Hollywood Racing. She is by Hawwaam out of a mare by Antonius Pius.