Australian Derby hero and Sha Tin G1 Hong Kong Cup third Criterion (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) is in quarantine at the Werribee International Horse Centre for two weeks prior to an autumn campaign reported Racing and Sports. The strapping chestnut is bound for Lindsay Park at Euroa, the country base of co-trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
“He's a real beauty,” Dabernig told Racing and Sports. “He holds his condition. A lot of horses traveling don't, but he does well in that situation. He'll have a couple of weeks there and then head back to the farm and we'll kick him along to get him ready for the autumn.”
A winner of the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G2 Todman S. as well, Criterion will target the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. during The Championships at Royal Randwick in Sydney Apr. 11. He has also exited the Hong Kong Cup in good order and his trainers aren't concerned about the quarantine affecting his fitness level.
Added Dabernig, “He can do light exercise at Werribee before he goes up to the farm. He's got great residual fitness so we're not overly concerned.”
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