Love Conquers All ended a week of mixed emotions for popular owner Nick Moraitis in the G2 Shorts Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.
Love Conquers All (5h Mossman – She’s A Meanie by Prince Salieri) came with a well timed run to score from Albert The Fat (Magic Albert) and Winter King (One Cool Cat). It was his first outing since failing in the G1 Stradbroke Hcp.
“It was a super performance,” trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He’s an older horse and will get a bit further now. He could run in the Premiere Stakes or head straight to Melbourne.”
The win came just days after Moraitis learned his Melbourne Cup candidate Maluckyday had been ruled out of the spring carnivals.
Love Conquers All didn’t come cheaply for connections. He was Mossman’s highest-priced yearling when changing hands for $400,000 at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions.
The Shorts sent his earnings past $1.25 million. Mossman (Success Express) stands at Vinery Stud for a $27,500 (inc gst) service fee.
Love Conquers All is one of three winners for G1 Avondale Cup winner She’s a Meanie (Prince Salieri). His older half-sister She’s Meaner (Falvelon) won the BTC Tommy Smith Slipper and Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Slipper.
A magnificent looking animal, Love Conquers All is assured of a stud career but a G1 victory during the spring carnival will boost his prospects of a home on a high-profile roster.
Love Conquers All has come very close to winning at the elite level twice this year. He was beaten a nose by Rangirangdoo in the G1 George Ryder at Rosehill and a nose by Beaded in the G1 Doomben 10,000.