HONG KONG – Trainer David Hayes is upbeat about the prospects of Criterion in the Hong Kong Cup after overseeing an exercise gallop at Sha Tin.

Both Criterion and Buffering, who runs in the International Sprint on Sunday, were given light work-outs on the all-weather track on Monday.

More serious gallops will take place on Tuesday.

The Cup will be Criterion’s first start for Hayes and his training partner Tom Dabernig after the horse was transferred from David Payne who took him to wins in the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.

“He was a bit stressed when he arrived here but I’m happy with him now,” Hayes said.

“His coat’s healthy. He’s well hydrated and he looks good.

“Obviously he’s new to me but we know the horse and he’s a very good mover.

“I’ll trust him as you should do with a good horse. He had two solid runs in the space of seven days, in the Cox Plate and the Mackinnon Stakes, so he came here fit.

“I’m quietly confident he’ll acquit himself well. He’s a Derby winner, going right handed at home, and his recent form’s probably better than it looks.

“He didn’t have much luck in the Cox Plate and was only a length and a half off them and the really firm track was against him in the Mackinnon at Flemington.”

Buffering’s trainer Robert Heathcote is much more familiar with his charge having had him in his stable for almost five years.

“The horse looks well and he seems happy to me,” he said.

“He’s really settled in now and his blood picture’s good. He just stretched his legs this morning but he’ll have a more serious gallop tomorrow morning.

“Later in the week we’ll give him a look at the parade ring. Every little thing can help.”

Buffering has won four Group One sprints in Australia and has been placed another dozen times at the highest level.

In his most recent start he finished fourth in the Darley Classic behind the three highest-rated sprinters in the world – Terravista, Chautauqua and Lankan Rupee.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au