Laughing all the way
Owners Linda and Graham Huddy are laughing all the way to the winner’s circle with front running Give Giggles.
The four-year-old mare won her third race at Ballarat on Sunday, October 15, comfortably scoring in the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).
Give Giggles brought up a winning double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who had won the previous race with Tommy.
Ridden by Madison Lloyd, Give Giggles ($2.10 fav) cruised home 1-1/4 lengths clear of Power Missile ($3.60) with Mysweetmoses ($11), a neck away third.
Coming from gate six in the field of nine, Lloyd elected to keep Give Giggles out wide early, sharing the lead before going clear turning for home and racing strongly through the line.
After a photo finish second on debut at Bendigo in February, the daughter of War Decree won at Ballarat in March before having as spell and now has won both her starts this preparation.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy believes Give Giggles is a mare with a future.
“She is a really nice mare,” McEvoy said.
“We have really noticed her grow up from her last prep.
“She did a good job first up – had quite a tough hard run, ran really quick time.
“She come on a lot from that win.
“Nice ride from Maddy (Madison Lloyd).
“They tried to take her on as little bit and probably she had to do it the hard way but was too good.
“At this stage she is a very fast mare with great early speed.
“Well done to Linda and Graham Huddy, great supporters of ours, and it is nice to keep this mare in winning form.
“She will now head to Flemington, there is a Benchmark 80 over 1100 (metres) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
“We will throw her in the deep end a little bit, but we think she will measure up to that grade at some point.
“She is a nice mare with a bright future and keeps doing the job.”
Winning jockey Madison Lloyd did make a salient point after the win by Give Giggles.
“She loves galloping fast,” Lloyd said.
“I said to Calvin that I don’t think she loves that ground (soft 6), it was just her ability that got her over the line today.
“I galloped her the other morning, her lead up work to today and it was enormous, fast as usual, it is what she loves doing.
“Give Giggles came to the McEvoys very green and spooky, but now she knows what everything is about.”