It defied the pattern of the day but he didn’t give his rivals a chance, striding powerfully to the line to score to 1-3/4 lengths from Lizard Island ($19) and Ready For Victory ($11) in third.
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“It takes a leading, world-class rider to take up the initiative”.
The son of Hinchinbrook, who carries the China Horse Club’s red and yellow colours, was initially owned by Tony and Giana Muollo of Wellington who had horses in Waller’s Foxton stable and have continued to support him since his move to Sydney.
He lost his spot when the speed went on but rallied for Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson and in similar style to previous runs, stormed home late suggesting the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup will see him tough to beat.
“To put everything into perspective, when he won the JJ Atkins in the winter he was a maiden, he hadn’t raced”.
“I purposely left her out of the Cox Plate [so as] not to tumble into that”. “We’ve gone into the race fresh and I just said to my wife – 14 more sleeps!”
David Hayes capped off a tremendous day at Caulfield when the horse he says is the best bred filly in Australia perhaps proved herself to be simply the best filly in the country with a slashing win in the group 1 1000 Guineas.
“She’s the best-bred filly in Australia and I think she’s probably the best filly too now”, Hayes said.
Criterion won this year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the highlight of The Championships at Randwick, before embarking on a three-race overseas campaign, firstly in Hong Kong and then two starts in England.
Even though Press Statement is now a dual Group One victor, Bowman said Press Statement was still a work in progress. “It was a brilliant ride on a brilliant filly”, Hayes said.
Hayes said he’ll have a team meeting with Stay With Me’s owners headed by John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud.
The 2015 Melbourne Cup is now on the agenda for Criterion and jockey Michael Walker is confident that the four-time Group 1 victor can run out a strong 3200 metres in “the race that stops a nation” at Flemington on November 3. We have got the Myer, the Wakeful or the Mackinnon to look at.
Caulfield trainer Ciaran Maher’s filly Jameka ($8.50) came from off the pace to run second under Mark Zahra, with $5.50 shot Badawiya, from the Mick Price yard, third.
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Champagne Stakes victor Pasadena Girl was well backed before starting the $4 favourite but only could manage fourth, beaten 3-1/2 lengths.
