Still a work in progress, underrated Crosshaven shapes as Lindsay Park’s premier chance of ending the stable’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas drought after an emphatic Prelude triumph. Boosting his record to four wins from five starts, the Smart Missile gelding ($5.50) underlined his talent by downing Amish Boy ($7) and National Choice ($51) while enhancing Guineas claims in the 1400m dress rehearsal.
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Trained by Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes, Crosshaven firmed from $21-$11 for the Guineas on October 10 behind Mounga ($5) and Golden Rose winner Ole Kirk ($6).
While Lindsay Park last celebrated Guineas success in 1994 with St Covet, Hayes is hopeful Crosshaven can continue to improve.
“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, is he?” he said.
“He really accelerated well and won well so it‘s really exciting for two weeks’ time (Caulfield Guineas).”
“It was a great win at Flemington the other day and I worked him up at the farm. I thought he improved a lot and coming here today I was confident.
“The way he travelled from the 600 (metre mark), I was never going to get beaten.
“He‘s still very green and raw when he hit the front. I think stepping up to the mile will be no problem at all.
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“He took them the opposition off the bridle a long way out. Great credit to himself. He just keeps going, keeps building, and is very strong. Onwards and upwards, I think.”
Flying Award, who started $5 favourite, finished last.
“Very poor run. He just didn’t fire at all,” jockey Damien Oliver said.
