Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes is confident that star galloper Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) is primed to run a big race when he resumes in Saturday's Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.
The multiple Group 1 winner hasn't raced since he finished unplaced in the Hong Kong Cup in December and is on a path towards the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, which he won last year.
Using the son of Sebring's fast-finishing third in last year's Canterbury Stakes as a guide, Hayes said the versatile stallion was more than capable of winning first-up.
"I think he's going better than this time than last year when he nearly won it," Hayes said.
"It would be terrific to have a Melbourne Cup placegetter win a Group 1 sprint first-up, we did that years ago with Jeune and I think this horse is capable.
"For his stallion value we would love him to win a sprint. He could be advertised as a hamburger with the lot, he can do everything this horse.
"I think he will sprint well fresh but of course he'll be even better and at his peak when he gets to his best distance which is 2000m." racing.com
The multiple Group 1 winner hasn't raced since he finished unplaced in the Hong Kong Cup in December and is on a path towards the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, which he won last year.
Using the son of Sebring's fast-finishing third in last year's Canterbury Stakes as a guide, Hayes said the versatile stallion was more than capable of winning first-up.
"I think he's going better than this time than last year when he nearly won it," Hayes said.
"It would be terrific to have a Melbourne Cup placegetter win a Group 1 sprint first-up, we did that years ago with Jeune and I think this horse is capable.
"For his stallion value we would love him to win a sprint. He could be advertised as a hamburger with the lot, he can do everything this horse.
"I think he will sprint well fresh but of course he'll be even better and at his peak when he gets to his best distance which is 2000m." racing.com