In contrast to the drama before he left Australia, Criterion has completed the final part of his Hong Kong Cup preparation without incident.
Unlike last week’s pre-flight uncertainty when Criterion was thought to be suffering a colic attack, it was smooth sailing for the four-year-old at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.
Criterion
” … this gallop this morning will be all he needs. That will be his final bit of work,” trainer David Hayes said.
Criterion suffered colic-like symptoms before last-minute approval was given for the four-year-old to join Buffering on a Hong Kong flight from Melbourne.
“He had a bad reaction … to the tick wash which is compulsory before they fly,” Hayes said. “He’s the one horse in a thousand to react badly.”
Hayes, who trained 458 winners in his nine-season stint in Hong Kong from 1995, expects Criterion to run well in what will be the horse’s first start for him since a transfer from David Payne’s Rosehill stable.
“He’s physically great apart from the rash and he seems to be doing well in the stable here,” Hayes said.
“And I was pleased with his gallop this morning. He did it very easily and his recovery was great.”
Hayes says Criterion’s chances will be enhanced with soft footing.
“If we get rain, I’ll be dancing in the streets,” he said. “He’s very good with some give. His two Group One wins in Sydney earlier in the year came on rain-affected tracks and the ground was just too firm for him last start in the Mackinnon Stakes.”
