Criterion 'jumping out of his skin'

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Criterion has essentially been in work since August last year but with open spaces and state of the art facilities available at the Lindsay Park property at Euroa, Hayes and training partner Tom Dabernig have been able to keep the horse firing against world class opposition.

In the 15 months since joining the Hayes and Dabernig stable, the son of Sebring has won the Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and Group I Caulfield Stakes (2000m) as well as placing in various other major races, including last month's Cox Plate.

The Group I Hong Kong Cup (2000m) on December 13 is the next challenge awaiting Criterion and Hayes is anticipating an improvement on the horse's third place finish in the 2014 edition of the race after overseeing a track gallop on Tuesday morning.

"Craig (Williams) did some striding work with him this morning and he's jumping out of his skin, he loves sort of being trained out of the paddock and freshened up - through the water walker and intermittently being ridden,” Hayes told Sky Racing Radio.

"He'll have a nice strong gallop at the (Moonee) Valley (on Saturday) to see where he's at and I expect him to gallop well and I expect to push the green button and go to Hong Kong.

"He should be pretty competitive, I think he's in better form than he was this time last year.”

Sportsbet's Hong Kong Cup futures market has Criterion listed as the $4 second favourite behind local star Designs On Rome at $3.80.

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