Sebring’s globetrotter Criterion (NZ) takes Caulfield Stakes
Updated: October 10, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Returning to Australia for the first time since annexing the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at The Championships in April, Criterion rallied in the lane to improve on his runner-up effort in this race last season to stamp himself one of the top chances for the G1 Cox Plate in two weeks’ time.
A game third in last year’s G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, Sir Owen Glenn’s runner returned to Sha Tin to be third on just 15 days’ rest in that jurisdiction’s QE II Cup. Beaten four lengths into fifth behind Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) in the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot June 17, the chestnut was last seen finishing sixth to the upset-minded Arabian Queen (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte International S. at York Aug. 19.
No better than the 13-2 fourth choice in the wagering, Criterion was allowed to settle in front of only race favorite Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) as Entirely Platinum (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) took them along. The 5-year-old was asked to improve leaving the half-mile marker, but had no choice but to travel five wide outside of Happy Trails, though he carried all the momentum into the straight. The two latter rivals appeared to brush with about a furlong to race, but Criterion closed off best of all to score, as Mongolian Khan and Kermadec both finished with interest.
“I think he’s been racing in the Olympics and he’s back in the National Championships now,” Hayes said of Criterion’s return to Australia. “People just don’t understand how good they are over there.”
Hayes, who was racking up a Group 1 double on the program, heads to Moonee Valley with a world of confidence.
“I think he can [win the Cox Plate],” he said. “We’ve gone into the race fresh and I just said to my wife–14 more sleeps.”
The winner’s dam is represented by the unraced 2-year-old Comin’ Through (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and a yearling colt by Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}).
Saturday, Caulfield, Australia
CAULFIELD S.-G1, A$402,750, MRC, 10-10, 3yo/up, Open Weight For, 2000mT, 2:02.02, gd.
1–CRITERION (NZ) , 59.0, h , 5, by Sebring
1st Dam: Mica’s Pride (GSW-Aus, A$121,350), by Bite the Bullet (USA)
2nd Dam : Gainesville (CAN), by Afleet (CAN)
3rd Dam: Adarling (CAN), by Alleged (USA)
O-Sir O G Glenn; B-Go Bloodstock New Zealand Ltd, Waikato, NZ; T-David Hayes & Tom Dabernig; J-M J Walker; A$242,750. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-HK, 30-7-6-5, A$6,352,687. *1/2 to Silently (Aus) (Anabaa), SW-Aus, A$172,240; Varenna Miss (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}), GSW-Aus, A$365,100. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. [bullet ad=”irt-shell”] 2–Happy Trails, 59.0, g, 8, Good Journey (USA)–Madame Flurry, by Perugino (USA) . (A$11,000 Ylg 2009 MM Adelaide Yearling Sale) O-P & Mrs E Dickmann, J & Mrs K Dickmann & Ms N Dickmann & P Swanell; B-Mr BK Parker SA; T-Paul Beshara; J-M Zahra; A$72,000.
3–Mongolian Khan, 58.0, c, 4, Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)—Centafit (NZ) , by Centaine. (A$9,000 Wlg 2012 WI Great Southern Weanling Sale; NZ$220,000 2YO 2013 NZB Ready to Run Sale; NZ$140,000 Ylg 2013 NZB National Yearling Sale) O-Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Ltd (Mgr: Lin Lang); B-Grenville Stud TAS; T-M P Baker; J-O P Bosson; A$36,000. [bullet ad=”irt-shell”] Margins: 0.5 len, 0.6 len, 1.4 len.
Also Ran: Kermadec (NZ) , Contributer (IRE) , Fawkner, Entirely Platinum (NZ) , Pornichet (FR) .
Click for the Racing Post result or the free equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.