Payne’s Group One-winning Criteria

As a two-year-old, Sebring colt Criterion (NZ) claimed three of his first four starts including the Group Two Todman Stakes before finishing sixth in both the Group One Golden Slipper and Group One Champagne Stakes.

Always knowing that this impressive chestnut colt would make a much better three-year-old and in particular one over a bit of a trip, astute trainer David Payne hatched a long range plan for Group One glory.

Returning for his three-year-season, Criterion (NZ) finally stepped up to 2000m and produced a top-notch effort, finishing second to Complacent in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes before he headed to Melbourne where he finished fourth in the Group One VRC Derby over 2500m behind Polanksi.

Resuming for his current campaign in Melbourne, the Sir Owen Glenn-owned colt finished an encouraging fourth first up at Group Three level before coming from the back of the pack to take second in the Group One Australian Guineas behind Shamus Award.

With no run on at his next start in the Group One Randwick Guineas, the colt finished in the middle of the pack behind Dissident.

Slightly unwanted in the market in the Group One Rosehill Guineas, Criterion (NZ) was sent out at the lucrative odds of 14/1.

Having only ever had one previous start over the 2000m for his Group One second, there was no reason to think that the Hugh Bowman ridden colt would not be in the finish!

Jumping from a wide gate, Bowman had the colt settled towards the back of the field with only three runners behind him.

With a very good tempo set up front by the Group One New Zealand Derby winner Puccini and the Group One Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Bowman continually edged forward and as the home turn was reached, Criterion (NZ) had come up along the inside to be just behind the leaders.

When the majority of the runners went wide rounding the turn, Bowman pushed the button and his colt exploded along the inside, charging away to win the Group One Rosehill Guineas by an impressive three-and-a-half lengths margin from Thunder Fantasy, with the Queenslander Teronado back in third.

Post-race, trainer David Payne was clearly excited by the victory of his colt.

"He’s only just maturing now," said David Payne.

"You have to leave him alone in the run and not bustle him.

"He’ll be winning the Derby hopefully. From day one we always thought he would be winning at 2000 metres plus."

Winning rider Hugh Bowman shares Payne’s confidence regarding the Group One Australian Derby in two weeks time.

"This horse has raced at the top grade for his whole career. I rode him in the Golden Slipper last year (he ran sixth)," said Bowman.

"He’ll go on to the Derby and on this performance would be favourite and rightfully so."

The David Payne Racing Stable would like to congratulate owner Sir Owen Glenn and wish him the best of luck with his colt as he heads towards the Derby.

[29/03/2014]

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