First Stakes Win for Smart Missile 3YO

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 12

Progressive Smart Missile gelding Crosshaven took a big step forward at Flemington on Saturday when scoring a comprehensive victory over a competitive field of up and comers in the Listed VRC Exford Plate (1400m).

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Crosshaven wins his first stakes races in the Listed Exford Plate - image Reg Ryan/ Racing Photos

Prepared by the Lindsay Park team, Crosshaven won his first two starts at Geelong and Moonee Valley earlier this year in May and June before resuming from a break to finish a close up sixth in the Group III MVRC McNeil Stakes.

Well ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Crosshaven powered to the line to win by a length and a half in a dominant display.
 


An $80,000 yearling graduate of Haunui Farm’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft, Crosshaven was initially passed in before selling to Lindsay Park with his breeder Daniel Nakhle retaining a share.

Nakhle had enjoyed previous success with the Lindsay Park team after selling a half share in Spanish Whisper, who won the Group II Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) for the combination.

Entered for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas, Crosshaven has the overall record of three wins from four starts with prizemoney in excess of $150,000.

Crosshaven is a half-brother to Group III winner Killarney and is from terrific producer and Group II winner Irish Collen, who has had five foals to race all winners.

He is the 19th stakes-winner for Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile, who stands this spring at a fee of $22,000.

Smart Missile is the sire of Crosshaven




 

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Race Result - Exford Plate LR 1400m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.67
1
Crosshaven
- 3g Smart Missile (AUS) x Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57.5
Smart Missile
2
1.5
Bartley
- 3c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Rationality (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: M Zahra 57
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $200,000
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone
Buyer: Waltrin
3
2.3
Cherry Tortoni
- 3g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Tortoni (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 58
4
2.4
Crown Mint
- 3g Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Wonderment (NZ) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: G V Richards Rdr: Craig Williams 57
5
3.4
Ironedge
- 3g Shamus Award (AUS) x Australia Day (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: B Melham 57
6
4.9
Khoekhoe
- 3c Turffontein (AUS) x Walvis Bay (NZ) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57.5
7
5.0
Rathlin
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Wiener (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
8
5.1
So You Can
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Grojsman (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: D Oliver 57
9
6.6
Johnny Get Angry
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Luminova (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Denis Pagan Rdr: Lachlan King 57
10
8.4
National Choice
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x My Sabeel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M J Dee 57
11
9.1
Immortal Love
- 3g Snitzel (AUS) x Loveyamadly (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 58.5
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