David Payne figures a step up in distance and a different weight scale give Criterion a genuine shot at winning Saturday’s Group One Australian Guineas.
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Criterion is one of two runners for the Sydney trainer in the 1600m race at Flemington and Criterion heads into it after a first-up fourth in the Group Three CS Hayes Stakes (1400m).
Under the conditions of the CS Hayes, Criterion carried 57.5kg and gave 2kg to the winner Hucklebuck and third-placed The Quarterback, while he had 3.5kg more than runner-up Prince Harada.
“It was a good run and he can only improve,” Payne said.
“He meets them at level weights and he’s looking for the extra couple of hundred metres.”
Payne gave fellow Guineas hopeful Rock Hero, a first-up second in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield, a barrier trial at Cranbourne on Monday to have him ready for Saturday.
Criterion has gone winless since the Group Two Todman Stakes last March but has been competitive at the top level.
His last three runs in a spring campaign netted a close second to Guineas rival Eurozone at level weights in the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m), second to Complacent in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and fourth to Polanski in the Victoria Derby (2500m).
Two horses Criterion did not meet in the CS Hayes, however, are Eurozone and Cox Plate winner Shamus Award who head into the Guineas off first-up weight-for-age placings in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m).
Singapore-based Corey Brown has been booked to ride Prince Harada in the Guineas.
Craig Williams partnered Prince Harada in the CS Hayes but he rides Shamus Award on Saturday.
Hucklebuck is the $3.80 Guineas favourite ahead of Eurozone ($4.40) and Shamus Award ($6).
Hucklebuck pleased trainer Phillip Stokes in his main gallop for the week on Tuesday at Morphettville, running his last 400m in 22 seconds.
“He galloped with two others on the grass over a half mile (800m) and came from behind them and finished off his work nicely,” Stokes said.
“He’s pretty much where I want him and he’ll be on the truck (to Melbourne) on Thursday night.
