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).
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.
