The $1,100,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale topper Crosswinds made a winning start to his career when outclassing three opponents in the Pipe Pro Directional Drill Maiden (1100m) at Ballarat on Tuesday.
Ridden by Mark Zahra for Anthony and Sam Freedman, the son of Written Tycoon travelled sweetly outside Federation Rocks. When Zahra pressed the button, he found an immediate response and put the race to bed at the 250m.
Despite shying out at the finishing post, Crosswinds defeated the Nicconi filly Naiconi by one and a quarter lengths with Federation Rocks (Pierro) a further four and a half lengths back in third.
“He did everything right, relaxed well on a slow speed. He did get a bit lost in front - he will be better chasing something,” stable representative Steve Adams said.
“Like he did (in a jump out) at Werribee, he shied at the winning post so still has a bit to learn, but he shows nice ability.”
Zahra said the expensive son of Written Tycoon has plenty of upside.
“That was very easy. He keeps improving, and while he only beat a small field, he travelled much better than the leader and everything around me,” Zahra said.
“He had a bit of a look at the winning post, but I think he is a horse on the up.
Bred by Rob Crabtree, Crosswinds was a $1,100,000 purchase for James Harron Bloodstock from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
He is the third winner from as many to race from the Fastnet Rock mare Gybe.
Trained by Anthony Cummings, Gybe won the 2009 Listed Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick as an $81 chance and the Listed Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill.
A half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Anabandana (dam of Group II winner Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock)), Gybe has a weanling sister to Croswwinds and was covered by Written Tycoon again last spring.
