AUSSIE ace Criterion will underline the increasingly international flavour of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival when he contests the Group One Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday 19 August.
The five-year-old, who has been based at John Gosden’s Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket during his summer travels, is among the top middle-distance performers in his native country. He has won three top table races, including last April’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick where he ran out two-and-a-half lengths to the good of the remarkable Red Cadeaux.
Following that success, trainer David Hayes and owner Sir Owen Glenn made the bold decision to target an international campaign with the first step taking them to Hong Kong for the QEII Cup. He ran with credit on that occasion, finishing third behind Blazing Speed.
Next up came a trip to Royal Ascot for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes where Criterion locked horns with Europe’s best; Free Eagle, The Grey Gatsby and Western Hymn. Again the son of Sebring did nothing wrong and finished a three-and-three-quarter length fifth behind the aforementioned Free Eagle.
Team Criterion are now looking forward to a tilt at the race on the Knavesmire which was ranked as the best in the world by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Hayes’ son, Ben, has been overseeing Criterion’s training in Newmarket and he said: “It was a big decision to bring him over. He is a colt, so if he can run well in these Group 1s it enhances his stallion value.
“His owner wanted to see him compete against the best in the world. To win would be incredible.”
Reflecting on Criterion’s Ascot performance, Hayes added: “We thought he ran well. He was only beaten just over three lengths and was running on. He was a little keen, so we have exchanged the blinkers for cheek-pieces to try and stop that.
“York should suit him better than Ascot – it is flat like our tracks in Australia, much less undulating that Ascot. The long straight is ideal too.”
Obviously with Criterion being stabled at Gosden’s historic Newmarket yard, Hayes has been close at hand to witness the amazing performances posted by Golden Horn, who too is on target for York’s £850,000 showdown.
He said: “We know how good Golden Horn is and we are realistic. Our main aim is to finish in the first three and we shall ride him to place. Obviously we’re there to win but we are realistic as to his chances.”
Since his run at Ascot, Hayes has revised Criterion’s training programme in a quest to make the horse more suited to the style of racing here.
He explained: “We have changed his training since Ascot. When we first arrived we were keen to train him ‘Aussie style’ – on the flat and over further. After Ascot he had three weeks ‘spelling’ at Longholes Stud where he was in the paddock and on light exercise.
“Since he returned he has been trained in the ‘string’ with John‘s horses. He has been trained in a more European style and has been doing two canters daily up Warren Hill as well as regular ‘gallops’.
“He worked over a mile this morning and ran home the last 600 metres. We were very happy. William (Buick) was pleased with where he is and it is full steam to the race.
“This training has suited him – he looks great and seems in a better place.”
Top Australian rider Chad Schofield was in the saddle at Ascot but connections have secured the services of William Buick, a jockey with big race form at York having partnered Golden Horn over course and distance in the Group Two, Betfred Dante.
Explaining the decision Hayes said: “William is a world-class jockey- he has won numerous Group 1s worldwide. It is important to use a jockey who knows the track rather than one who has never ridden there.”
Criterion is set to return ‘down under’ after York but Hayes is optimistic that more of his fellow countrymen will follow their example and campaign their horses in Europe over the summer.
He said: “He’ll go for the Cox Plate, which he is currently favourite for, with one run before.
“Ortensia won the Nunthorpe for the Aussies a few years ago – if we were to run well then it would encourage more people to make the trip and take in more of your big races.”
The four-day Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival takes place from Wednesday, August 19-22, inclusive.