Rosehill-based horseman Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his brother Wayne and father John, is backing their smart Mossman four-year-old Love Conquers All to produce a Group 1 winning run and defeat hot favourite Hay List in Saturday’s Doomben 10,000.
Love Conquers All is third favourite to win the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday
Love Conquers All will resume from a six week break in the $650,000 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) after a number of dominant runs during the autumn and Hawkes said racing fans and punters can expect the same top-class from his galloper during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
From their five starts this year, Love Conquers All has finished in the money four times including two Group 1 placings.
After going down by a mere nose to Rangirangdoo in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, Love Conquers All most recently finished second to Sacred Choice in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 16 on a Heavy track.
Love Conquers All showed they were ready to resume with a strong barrier trial win over 900m at Rosehill last week and they sit on the third line of the pre-field Doomben 10,000 odds at $9 behind Beaded ($7) and odds-on favourite Hay List ($1.55).
Dual Group 1 winner Hay List may be dominating 10,000 betting, but Love Conquers All certainly has strong claims having previously beaten John McNair’s sprinter last winter in Sydney – the only Doomben 10,000 hopeful to do so.
Love Conquers All scored a strong three-quarter length win over Hay list in the Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick in June of 2010.
“I know what my bloke’s got and we beat him (Hay List) once, so we can do it again,” Michael Hawkes said.
Hay List, however, turned the tables when they faced off again in the spring.
Winning his first Group 1 title, Hay List was well clear of his rivals in the 2010 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last September including fourth placegetter Love Conquers All.
To date Love Conquers All has had just one start in the sunshine state when finishing a close third to Graceful Anna in the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1400m) at the Gold Coast last year.
The horse has now arrived in Queensland for a second time, Love Conquers All being stabled at the Hawkes’ Caloundra base.
“He arrived here Sunday morning and since arriving he’s done very well (we are) very happy with him,” Hawkes said.
“He’s done everything right since the Doncaster, he’s freshened up well.”
It was announced earlier this month that ace jockey Chris Munce had been booked to stick with Love Conquers All for his Brisbane Carnival runs having partnered with them in their two recent elite level placings.
“The horse is well, just hope for a nice draw,” Hawkes said.
“Chris (Munce) is on him, he knows him well.
“He’s a real racehorse and he’s very professional in what he does, that’s the best part about him.”
