William Buick To Ride 'thriving' Criterion
- Wednesday, 05 August 2015 08:42
William Buick is set to team up with Australian star Criterion in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York later this month.
The David Hayes-trained five-year-old finished a creditable fifth behind Free Eagle in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes on his British debut at Royal Ascot back in June, beaten just under four lengths in the Group One feature.
He was ridden by Chad Schofield on that occasion but after partnering Criterion in a mile gallop at Newmarket racecourse on Wednesday morning, Buick confirmed he expects to ride the son of Sebring on the Knavesmire.
"At this stage it looks like I'm riding him," Buick said.
"I rode him last week for the first time. He's a good horse and he's thriving at the minute.
"He felt good today and he needed that. Coming to the racecourse and having a good blow will have done him the world of good.
"The first time I rode him was a routine piece of work on the Al Bahathri but working on the racecourse today, you could really let him stretch his legs and he felt pretty good."
Hayes' son Ben has been overseeing Criterion's training regime since he arrived in Britain back in May, with the horse stabled at John Gosden's yard where he is a currently a pupil assistant.
Ben Hayes was also full of confidence that Criterion had improved.
"I was very happy with that. He needed to get a good blow in as there's only two weeks before the race and it's now full steam ahead," Ben Hayes said.
"When he first came over he had a bit of travel sickness for 10 days and was struggling a bit. He's been here since May and has had plenty of time to acclimatise and he's better than he was before Ascot. He's doing well and eating well.
"It's a very tough race and, being realistic, we'll ride him to finish in the top three. This race is a stepping stone towards the Cox Plate, which I think we will have a good chance in."
Hayes is hoping Criterion will see a track with some cut out of the ground at York.
"If its good ground we'll be happy, but if it is wet it will be a big curveball for us as he's won his Group Ones on heavy. It would give him a realistic chance of being up there.
"I thought he was pretty good (at Ascot) and he didn't let himself down at all and wasn't beaten far. It was a hard (good to firm) track and he's not got good form on a hard track.
"York is a much fairer track and is a bit more like the Australian tracks as it's less undulating and he will handle that better.
