A support race on the George Main Stakes program is shaping as a campaign turning point for Australian Derby winner Criterion.

Trainer David Payne has Cox Plate aspirations for the horse and Criterion can confirm them with a win in the Group Two Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

“He’s got to win a race like that to have a chance in the Cox Plate,” Payne said.

“Otherwise we’re just pipe dreaming.”

After an encouraging return in the Warwick Stakes, Criterion struggled to make an impact in the Chelmsford Stakes and finished second last.

The first two horses over the line in the Chelmsford, Hawkspur and Royal Descent, tackle the George Main Stakes (1600m) on Saturday but Payne says that race was never an option for Criterion who is looking for a middle-distance.

Nor is Payne overly perturbed by his last-start failure.

“I don’t think he was well ridden. They went slow and when he went to go at the 800 (metres) two of (trainer) Chris Waller’s horses moved up on his inside which put him about five-wide, plus he got a little bump,” Payne said.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It was just one of those runs.”

The only horse Criterion beat home in that race, Entirely Platinum, shades him for Hill Stakes favouritism with both horses expected to appreciate a firmer surface and distance rise.

Entirely Platinum is also an acceptor for the Naturalism Stakes in Melbourne on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Angel’s Beach and Rifleman are early scratchings from the Group Two Shorts at Randwick while Famous Seamus will run with synthetic hoof filler in one foot after pulling a shoe on Thursday.