A decision not to sell Love Laughing at the Magic Millions QTIS600 sales paid off handsomely for trainer Troy Hall when the filly scored a narrow victory at Doomben.
Love Laughing ($7.50), aided by an inside run on the heavy track, held on for a long head victory over Congo ($2.80 fav) in Saturday’s Bollinger Champagne Handicap (1200m).
Anikintime ($6.50) was a further three-quarters of a length away third.
Hall’s wife Kym bred Love Laughing and decided to retain the daughter of Falvelon when she failed to reach her reserve at the Gold Coast Magic Millions QTIS600 sale.
“She’s the first horse Kim has bred and raced and we still have 40 per cent of her which is good,” Hall said.
“I wanted $30,000 for her but she only fetched $22,000 so we passed her in.”
Hall has never saddled a Magic Millions Classic contender and is unsure whether he’ll give the youngster her chance in the $2 million 1200m feature at the Gold Coast on January 14.
“I’ve never had a runner in the race so far and if she runs she’ll probably be 100-1,” he said.
“She’s eligible for the Magic Millions but I might save her for the QTIS races instead.”
Hall is still hopeful of getting stablemate Devil Heart into the Magic Millions Classic following her abject failure when the filly ran off the track and finished last to Military Bride at Eagle Farm last week.
“It’s been an amazing seven days,” Hall said.
“It was disappointing what happened to Devil Heart last week and now we’ve won this with one we bred.
“I’m going to barrier trial Devil Heart on Tuesday week and if she goes well I’ll give her the chance of getting into the Magic millions in the BJ McLachlan.”
The Group Three BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) will be run at Doomben on December 31.
Apprentice Mitchell Wood gave a glowing report on Love Laughing and predicted she’d be even better next campaign.
“She’s lacking a bit of race experience but she’s a very good filly and will come back stronger next time in,” Wood said.
Wood, who is now apprenticed to Hall, celebrated his first win in the city since Belletrist broke a leg and was put down after after winning at Doomben in late August.
AAP TURF
