While he may not have lived up to his early promise when winning the Group III Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Group III Carbine Club Stakes and placing in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes, Crosshaven proved he is far from a spent force when successful in Saturday’s Group III Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Caulfield.
Given a gun ride by Mark Zahra, the Ben and JD Hayes-trained son of Smart Missile tracked the early speed set by Poland and Fields Of Avalon. He repelled the challenge of Norwegian Bliss (El Roca) by three-quarters of a length, with Literary Magnate (Written Tycoon) one and three-quarters back in third.
The winner of five of his first seven starts, Crosshaven advances his record to six wins, two seconds, and a third from 22 starts with earnings of $836,203.
Ben Hayes said the win was a reward for patience.
“We’ve had to be very patient with him as he’s often threatened and just been narrowly beaten,” Hayes said
“The owners have been very patient with us, which has been good and together, we’ve got a result like that. Well done to his breeder in New Zealand and everyone at home.
“He’s quite a difficult ride, and he’s got a very awkward action; he gets his head up. Mark got him to relax today, which was the key, and it’s good to see him really hit the line.
“He was getting frustrating, but to win a big race on a day like this is rewarding.
“We’ll have a good think about (his future). His rating is going to go right up now, so we’ll have to look at what’s around; I don’t think there is too much but maybe over Christmas, that could be a good race for him.”
An $80,000 purchased for Lindsay Park out of the Haunui Farm draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Crosshaven is a half-brother to Group III winner Killarney.
Bred and part-owned by Daniel Nakhle, the 5yo gelding is one of five winners from as many to race out the Group II winner Irish Colleen (Shinko King), who Nakhle had purchased for $8,500 at the 2005 NZB National Weanling Sale.
A great-great-granddaughter of that magnificent racemare, Maybe Mahal, Irish Colleen was covered by Brazen Beau last spring.
Crosshaven is one of 23 stakes-winners for Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile, which stands this spring at a fee of $16,500.
