Boallia Farm resident Our Boy Leo sired his first winner when Mahaleo made the most of dream run in the MACA Mining Maiden (1500m) at Ascot on Wednesday.

Mahaleo is just the second starter from Our Boy Leo’s first crop and he never left the fence from an inside draw to gradually get the better of Kolchino (Maschino).  “He appreciated getting out to 1500 metres and he’s got a future given time,” Hall of Fame trainer Fred Kersley predicted.  “The drop in weight and the gate were in his favour and it was good to see him get the job done.”

A 3kg claim also brought him right into the race with 53kg.  “It worked out perfectly in running,” stable apprentice Beaux Banovic-Edwards said.  “I had the choice of going around the leader but he usually lays in so I stayed on the rails to avoid causing any drama.”

Our Boy Leo is a son of Lonhro from Magical Miss (Danehill) who was trained by Bart Cummings to win the G1 Thousand Guineas – G1 Victorian Oaks double for the late Bill Wyllie and his wife Rhonda in 2001.

Mahaleo is the final foal of Miss Mahal (Canny Lad) who descends from the Cummings-trained Australian Horse of the Year Maybe Mahal.

Our Boy Leo didn’t trouble the judge in a career that spanned two short preps with John McArdle at Mornington.  But Rhonda Wyllie backed his pedigree to make a difference at stud and she stands him with Boallia Farm owner Tracey Bannister for a $1,100 (inc GST) fee.

MAHALEO