Spring carnival surprise packet, Crosshaven (Smart Missile), will headline the Lindsay Park All Star Mile assault but not at the expense of a quest for Group One glory.
The three-year-old Smart Missile gelding will target the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in the autumn before, if things go to plan, heading to the $5 million feature at The Valley.
“He’s got an iron constitution and you’ve got to see them transition from the spring to the autumn, but I really think he is an exciting three-year-old,” co-trainer Tom Dabernig said.
“I really think he’s got still more to offer. He’d be the one I am pinning my hopes on.”
Originally the number two ranked three-year-old in the team, Crosshaven exceeded expectations in the spring and, in some pundits’ eyes and literally in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), went past stablemate Aysar (Deep Field), who headed to the paddock with two narrow feature race defeats.
But the latter will get his shot at redemption. He’ll also be aimed at the Australian Guineas before potentially heading to the 1600m All Star Mile at The Valley on March 13.
“You saw him run those two good seconds, one in the Caufield Guineas and one in the Carbine Club so he wasn’t far off,” Dabernig said.
“He’s got a stack of ability. We just have to hope it all falls into place for him in the autumn.
“With the three-year-olds, the Australian Guineas will be their target and then the All Star Mile, if they happen to get into it, would certainly be big on everyone’s agenda, but they would have to show they are in the right form.”
The New Zealand-owned Crosshaven races in the colours of Auckland property developer Daniel Nakhle and has been a model of consistency, winning five of his seven starts along with placing fourth in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Bred by Nakhle, Crosshaven was an $80,000 yearling graduate of Haunui Farm’s 2019 Karaka Book 1 draft, who was initially passed in before selling to Lindsay Park with 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 (NZ) (O’Reilly) and seven-race winner Neeson (NZ) (O’Reilly).
