Smart Missile Gelding Back to Winning Form

Tara Madgwick - Saturday June 22

The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Crosshaven recorded the seventh win of his career after closing late to land the Country Achiever Shane Fliedner (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Crosshaven bursts clear of his rivals to win at Flemington. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

The son of Smart Missile was patiently handled by Luke Currie before navigating a path closest to the fence, scoring his first win since his triumph in the Gr.3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) back in November 2022.

With the rail out 11 metres and the fresher ground out wide, Crosshaven defied his inside draw to score at odds of $17.

The Karaka graduate has now advanced his career earnings to A$1,118,103, with the Lindsay Park team showing their training nous to help the six-year-old gelding get back to the winner’s circle.

“Ben (Hayes) said he gave him a jump this morning and got his mind on the job,” Currie said.

“He jumped okay, and I was happy to just let that speed go, thinking that everything would come out (towards the outside fence).

“I just held him up until the furlong and then he found clear air and he burst through and was strong.

Advertisement

“If you end up going back to the inside, there is plenty of room there and I thought the track is a bit more even than it looks like it is racing but he has done a good job to go back to the inside and win from there.”

Bred by Auckland-based Daniel Nakhle, the five-year-old gelding is one of five winners from as many to race out the Group Two winner Irish Colleen, who Nakhle had purchased for just $8,500 at the 2005 NZB National Weanling Sale and enjoyed racing with father Elias.

Crosshaven is closely related to Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Crocetti, who is out of his O’Reilly half-sister Gracehill.

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 Nakhle retaining a share.

Now the winner of seven of his 44 starts, Crosshaven has also been placed on nine occasions. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - 2024 Country Achiever Shane Fliedner Qlty 1100m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:03.18
1
Crosshaven
- 6g Smart Missile (AUS) x Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: L Currie 56
2
0.5
Veloce Carro
- 4g Nicconi (AUS) x Pollywagon (AUS) (Duporth (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
3
0.7
Ranting
- 6g Zoustar (AUS) x Vanilla Ice Cream (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: M J Dee 54
4
0.8
Zethus
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Melpomene (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: S V Brown Rdr: Tatum Bull 54
5
1.8
Extremely Lucky
- 5g Extreme Choice (AUS) x Tamarind Lane (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: W Clarken & N O'Shea Rdr: B Shinn 57
6
2
Who Dares
- 4g Deep Field (AUS) x Orvassa (AUS) (Equiano (FR))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: Patrick Moloney 58.5
7
3.8
Along The River
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Kulgrinda (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: M & L Cerchi Rdr: J Ford 54
8
3.9
Ashford Street
- 6g Moshe (AUS) x Magic By Gosh (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: Tom Dabernig Rdr: Teodore Nugent 60
9
13.9
Maximillius
- 4g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Scandiva (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Jones Rdr: C Newitt 54
10
18.9
Inundation
- 5g Headwater (AUS) x Flippity Lass (AUS) (Dream Ahead (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
More Reading...
Promising Winner for Yes Yes Yes
Relocated to Gooree Stud this spring, Everest hero Yes Yes Yes has kept doing what he does best in racking up winners with the Ciaron Maher trained four year-old Flamboyant Lad opening his account at Geelong on Friday.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Smart Missile's Crosshaven All Courage in Carbine Club
Punters looked likely to get off on the right foot on Victoria Derby day at Flemington when the heavily backed Aysar put his head in front at the 200 metres mark in the Group III Network 10 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m). However, they had not counted on the tenacity of his stablemate Crosshaven.
Crosshaven Adds to Kiwi Breeder's Success
Irish Colleen set the ball rolling for prominent breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle and the daughter of Shinko King keeps on giving.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.
One to Watch – Geelong
Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic had a promising debut winner at Sandown on Wednesday in Humble Trader and he kept up the good work at Geelong on Friday when his stakes-placed filly Rohesia cast off maiden status in style.
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G2 Silver Shadow Stakes - Darley Princess Series
We've emerged from the worst of winter, but Sydney's wettest spring in a couple of decades is going to ensure a squelchy track for Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting if it even goes ahead.