The Lindsay Park trained Crosshaven has earned himself a start in the Caulfield Guineas with a classy win in the Group 3 $250,000 Neds Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Trainer Ben Hayes, left, will set Crosshaven for the Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Trainer Ben Hayes, left, will set Crosshaven for the Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Daniel Stackhouse had Crosshaven ($5.50) quickly into stride from a wide gate and settled the Smart Missile three year old just behind the leader National Choice ($51).

The Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) trained National Choice, with the blinkers on for the first time, wasn’t going to surrender the lead easily and fought back well in the straight to finish in third spot.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Amish Boy ($7) was doing his best work at the finish to claim the runner’s up prize.

The disappointment of the race was the $4.60 favourite Flying Award who was always near the tail of the field after being slow out of the gates and failed to beat a runner home in the ten-horse field.

The Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes trained Crosshaven has now won four of his five starts and will now head towards the Group 1 $2m Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said that Crosshaven has continued to improve and is keen to see him step up to the 1600m of the Caulfield Guineas.

“He is four from five now,” Ben Hayes said.

“he has a fantastic record and every race he has won impressively.”

“He is now a serious contender heading into the Caulfield Guineas. Really exciting.”

“There is a great group of people in New Zealand, a fantastic group of owners and they will be really excited heading into a Caulfield Guineas.”

Crosshaven has firmed into $11 at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Caulfield Guineas.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.