3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after Crosshaven takes out the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: Crosshaven (M Zahra/B & JD Hayes) - $7.00
2nd: Norwegian Bliss (B Shinn/N Doyle) - $2.70
3rd: Literary Magnate (D Yendall/M Williams) - $3.70
Winning Time: 1:24.09 Last 600m: NA
Margins: ¾-L x 1-¾-L
Winning Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes (Ben speaking)
On the horse breaking a losing sequence: "We've had to be very patient with him. He's often threatened and just been narrowly beaten and the owners have been very patient with us which has been good and together we've got a result like that, well done to his breeder (Daniel Nakhle) in New Zealand and to everyone at home.
On the ride: "He's quite a difficult ride and he's got a very awkward action , he gets his head up. Mark got him to relax today which was the key and it's good to see him really hit the line.
Future plans: "He was getting frustrating but to win a big race on a day like this is rewarding. We'll have a good think about it, his rating is going to go right up now so we'll have to look at what's around, I don't think there is too much but maybe over Christmas that could be a good race for him.
Winning Jockey: Mark Zahra
The run: "I didn't have much of a plan going into the race but it just worked out perfect, Poland kicked and went forward, Streets Of Avalon kicked up and I didn't have a lot of cover from the wind down that far side which is important today. He wanted to come out but I waited and made him wait for another 200m and he did a good job.
He's got that style where his head comes right up and he did a good job to fight on today, he's definitely better fending them off than trying to catch them, the favourite had a crack at him but he was holding it at the line.
On his mannerisms: "Knowing the horse helps a lot, if I hadn't ridden him before today i reckon I would have peeled earlier and come out, they didn't go that hard but I just wanted him to wait and get to the middle of the track, let him feel the horse outside him just to make him do enough.