Big Orr Test for Rising Star Crosshaven

It would be a disservice to the Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained 3YO Crosshaven (Smart Missile) to suggest he’s ever been anything less than one of the better colts of his generation, however the manner in which he finished off his Spring campaign saw him go from being one of the crowded sophomore brat pack to a genuine threat in any decent Group class race. Now, the multiple stakes-winning NZB graduate will be asked to lift a new level when he meets open company on Saturday. The stable has set Crosshaven for the Gr1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) where he’ll be asked plenty of questions against some of the best weight-for-age horses in training, including last year’s Gr1 Cox Plate hero Sir Dragonet. With his only unplaced run in the spring resulting in a quality fourth in the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas, Crosshaven’s test against more seasoned elders is expected, according to punters.com.au, to be followed by the Gr1 Australian Guineas (1600m) against his own age-group. Should he meet expectations this month, Crosshaven (currently twelfth in All-Star voting) could end the autumn as one of the best of his generation.