Criterion will have his first searching gallop for new trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig at Moonee Valley ahead of his trip to Hong Kong.

The dual Group One winner will have a work-out before racing gets underway on Saturday with Dara O’Meachair in the saddle.

The winner of the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby in the autumn, Criterion was transferred from Sydney trainer David Payne after finishing fifth behind Happy Trails in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on November 1.

Payne had recommended to owner Sir Owen Glenn the entire be spelled but Glenn wanted to press on to the Hong Kong Cup.

Hayes said Criterion had settled in well at Lindsay Park and had freshened up nicely in preparation for his trip to Hong Kong on Monday.

“He’s freshened up OK and I’m very happy with him,” Hayes said.

“He’s been no trouble and is a pleasure to have here.

“I haven’t really galloped him hard but the work I have given him he’s handled well and he seems like a good horse.”

O’Meachair, who rides work at the Lindsay Park establishment at Euroa in country Victoria and also dabbles as a jumps jockey, has been riding Criterion in his work since he joined Hayes and Dabernig.

Hayes said the plan was to gallop Criterion over 1600m with a testing last 400 or 500m in preparation for his assignment at Sha Tin on December 14.

A son of Sebring, Criterion has raced on 22 occasions for five wins and seven minor placings, accumulating almost $2.6 million prize money when prepared by Payne.

He and four-time Group One winning sprinter Buffering will be Australia’s only representatives at the Hong Kong meeting.

Among Criterion’s Hong Kong Cup rivals will be French star Cirrus Des Aigles and Hong Kong’s Designs On Rome and Military Attack.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au