Criterion Among Caulfield Stakes Winners
Image:
Description:
Photo: Mark Gatt
Criterion takes the Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes.
Sir Owen Glenn's Criterion, who in his previous start finished sixth behind one-two finishers Arabian Queen and Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-I) in August, returned home to capture the Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (Aus-I) Oct. 10 at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.
According to published reports, trainer David Hayes said the 5-year-old horse by Sebring is now set up for a strong run in the Cox Plate (Aus-I) at Moonee Valley Racecourse in late October. Criterion came from off the pace to win the about 1 1/4-mile (2,000 meters) Caulfield in 2:02.02 under jockey Michael Walker.
Happy Trails finished second and Mongolian third. Criterion, bred in New Zealand by Go Bloodstock New Zealand Ltd., won for the seventh time in 30 starts and now has four Australian group I victories.
The weight-for-age Caulfield Stakes was one of four group I events on the Oct. 10 program, during which the course condition was rated good.
In the Caulfield Guineas for 3-year-olds at about one mile (1,600 meters), Press Statement (AUS), a 3-year-old colt by Hinchinbrook, earned his fifth win in seven starts. Lizard Island was second and Ready for Victory third.
Press Statement, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Hugh Bowman, covered the distance in 1:36.47. It was his second group I win. Waller was noncommittal on a start in the Cox Plate for the 3-year-old colt bred in Australia by Mr. T. Muollo.
Stay With Me (AUS), by Street Cry, won the Schweppes One Thousand Guineas for 3-year-old fillies in 1:35.89 for the about one mile (1,600 meters), while Lucky Hussler (AUS), a 6-year-old gelding by Husson, captured the Toorak Handicap at about one mile (1,600 meters) in 1:34.57.