Love Conquers All softens the Maluckyday blow

Consistent galloper Love Conquers All has delivered a timely win for his owner Nick Moraitis and the horse’s trainers John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes after they lost their Melbourne Cup horse Maluckyday earlier in the week.

The Hawkes Racing team announced Maluckyday's spring campaign had ended after the horse succumbed to a virus.

Love Conquers All, ridden by Jim Cassidy scored a strong win in the Group II The Shorts (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

"It's no consolation prize," co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. "Horses like him don't come around every day and when you lose one it's hard to cop.

"You have to take the good with the bad but at least this bloke's put a smile on our faces today."

Love Conquers All, with Cassidy at his aggressive best, dictated to rivals in the straight when he got involved in a bumping duel before they charged at the leaders late to win in strong fashion.

"That was good today, it was good for Nick," Cassidy said. "Nick's a good man for racing. He puts plenty in and gives a lot of trainers horses.

"I appreciate winning for him because he's been solid to me.

"It was a good performance by that horse today.

"He hit the line real good and I was kind to him. I didn't have to bash him and he's going to improve."

Chasing Love Conquers All to the line was Albert The Fat in second with Winter King filling third while both Ego’s Dare and Danleigh turned in eye-catchers getting home hard to finish fourth and sixth respectively.

The disappointment of the race was Decision Time, who ended a winning streak of six favourites to salute at the meeting when battling into fifth.

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet

Photo: Martin King Sportpix