Australia's HKIR hopefuls Buffering and Criterion are settling into their routines in Hong Kong after warming up in different style at two of Melbourne's premier racecourses on the eve of their departure to Hong Kong and only after Criterion was given a last minute clearance to fly.
Buffering, the 16 times winner of almost $AUD 5 million, had a barrier trial at Flemington last Friday and his departure was routine while the Australian Derby winner Criterion - who had an exhibition gallop, between races, at Moonee Valley on Saturday - had issues after a minor bout of colic on Sunday.
Trainer David Hayes likened Criterion's Sunday episode to a "stomach ache" with symptoms similar to a mild case of colic. However it was feared that AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) would rule against the horse flying despite Hayes insisting he was back to normal on Monday.
“We were able to work the horse normally on Monday morning and there was no issue with him eating and drinking. There are degrees of colic and his was minor. It caused him some discomfort but he recovered with treatment and he was healthy and ready to go when we got to the airport. Luckily the flight was delayed which gave us the time to secure AQIS approval to fly,” Hayes said.
Buffering's trainer Robert Heathcote made the trip from Brisbane to Melbourne to oversee Buffering's last local gallop. The seven-year-old was inclined to “loaf” according to jockey Craig Williams but won his jump-out (trial) over 800m in 47.94 seconds.
“He was a bit lazy in the gallop but I'm not too worried about that. He trialled without his blinkers and we've always known he can be lazy in his work. He did enough and he's in good shape,” said Heathcote.
“We deliberately left the blinkers off as I didn't want him to go too hard. He's had three very tough runs during the spring but he's fit and he recovered almost immediately after the workout.”
Buffering, the G1 Manikato Stakes winner in 2013 by a short head from Lucky Nine, comes to Hong Kong on the back of a fourth placing behind three of the world's top-rated sprinters - Terravista, Chautauqua and Lankan Rupee - in the G1 Darley Classic on 8 November.
Criterion will be having his first run for former Hong Kong champion trainer Hayes on international day after being transferred from David Payne following his fifth to Happy Trails in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes on 1 November.
Hayes admits he's still learning about the horse and felt he was able to glean a good deal from Criterion's exhibition gallop at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Dara O'Meachair, Criterion worked with stablemate Purple Smile over 1200m in 1min17.64secs, coming home the last 600m in 34.98secs.
“The horse hasn't left an oat since arriving at our stables and his work was sound leading into Saturday's gallop. I wanted to see him here (Moonee Valley) in a raceday environment. He behaved perfectly and I thought his work was excellent. We're getting a better handle on him every day,” Hayes said.
Hayes, in 1995, accepted an invitation to train in Hong Kong and won two trainer’s premierships; landed a total of 458 winners and claimed the G1 Hong Kong Sprint (2002, All Thrills Too) and the HKG1 Hong Kong Derby (2003, Elegant Fashion).
