Crosshaven (Smart Missile) cost only $80,000 at Karaka 2019, but he is developing into one of the outstanding male three-year-olds of his generation in Melbourne.

With another quality performance in Saturday’s A$250,000 Group Three Neds Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), Crosshaven extended his record to four wins from five starts and A$305,338 in stakes – more than four times his purchase price.

Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Crosshaven sat in second place for most of the race before quickening brilliantly in the straight. He soon reeled in the front-running National Choice (Snitzel) and went clear to score by a length and three-quarters.

“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,” said Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with Tom Dabernig.

“He's a pretty nice horse, isn't he? He's now got a fantastic record, with four wins from five starts, and every race he's won he's won impressively.”

Crosshaven was bred by Daniel and Elias Nakhle, who have retained a share of the ownership. Crosshaven is out of the Nakhles’ Group Two-winning mare Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King), who is the dam of five winners from five foals to race including two at stakes level.

The next generation of outstanding New Zealand thoroughbred talent will be showcased in Karaka 2021, starting with Book 1, which runs across three days from Sunday 24 January. That will be followed by Book 2 from Wednesday 27 through to Friday 29 January.

Impressive High Emocean (NZ) Heads Karaka Quinella

Sunday’s A$140,000 Listed R.M. Ansett Classic (2415m) at Mornington produced a quinella for Karaka graduates, with the highly impressive High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) leading the charge.

The up-and-coming stayer, who cost $80,000 at Book 1 of Karaka 2018, produced a dominant performance to collect her first win at stakes level. The runner-up was Tavirun (NZ) (Tavistock), who was bought for $300,000 from the 2017 Ready to Run Sale.

But this race was all about High Emocean. Ridden by Jye McNeil for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the talented four-year-old produced a sustained run to swoop around the outside of the field at the home turn. She powered clear in the straight to win by four and a half lengths.

High Emocean has now has 11 starts for five wins, five placings and A$217,885 in stakes – almost three times her purchase price.

“That was fantastic,” Eustace said. “She’s an amazing little filly. She’s very brave.

“It was the plan to come here and win a stakes race with her being a mare. Now hopefully we can improve on that from here.

“She’s a genuine stayer, so a Sandown Cup (3200m) would have to be a consideration for her, or a staying race over the carnival at Flemington.”