Crosshaven (Smart Missile) cemented his claims for a spring classic as a clear winner of the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday.
He was sent out a $5.50 chance after coming off an impressive Listed Exford Plate (1400m) victory at Flemington.
Crosshaven took an on-pace position on a hot speed but as his rivals faded away on turning for home, he sprinted clear and on the line had a length-and-three-quarter advantage over Amish Boy (Star Witness).
Crosshaven took his record to four wins from his five starts and was immediately elevated in betting for the A$2 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in two weeks.
He momentarily joined Friday night’s Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) winner Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock) and Listed Dulcify Quality (1500m) winner Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) as $6 co-favourites in Sportsbet’s market for the 1600-metre classic until Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) took that mantle outright with his Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) win.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes said he took a lot of confidence from Crosshaven’s win and felt it showed he would run out the mile strongly in a fortnight.
“It was a really good effort because it looked to me that they really ran along there and he was able to do it at both ends. He’s a pretty nice horse isn’t he,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with Tom Dabernig, said.
“He’s now got a fantastic record with four wins from five starts and every race he’s won he’s won impressively.”
The Lindsay Park-trained gelding sports the colours of Auckland property developer Daniel Nakhle, who bred the promising youngster.
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 Daniel Nakhle retaining a share.
Crosshaven is the fifth winner from Daniel and Elias Nakhle’s Group Two winning mare Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King), who is also the dam of Group Three winner Killarney and seven-race winner Neeson.
