Crosshaven returns to winner’s circle

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

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.

 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.

 “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