Criterion The Pick Of Lindsay Park Queen Elizabeth Stakes Duo

Lindsay Park have both Criterion and Spillway in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes field and co-trainer Tom Dabernig is happy with the condition of both gallopers, but believes that Criterion is the stables best chance to take out the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Tom Dabernig believes that Criterion can return to winning form in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Tom Dabernig believes that Criterion can return to winning form in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Criterion showed that he was worthy of being considered one of the best 2000 metre horses in Australia when he finished a gallant third behind Designs On Rome and Military Attack in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in December last year and he returned to Australian racing with excellent performances without winning in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 7 and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.

Dabernig believes that Criterion has had the ideal preparation for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he is confident that the Sebring entire can record his third win at the highest level of racing in the $4 million event on Saturday.

“He has been set for this race and he has had an ideal preparation,” Dabernig said.

“His two runs this time in have been outstanding and I think out that out to 2000 meters with a bit of give in the ground, he has an excellent chance.

“I know Spillway is a last start Group 1 winner, but I have to stick with Criterion.

“He has had the perfect prep for the race and I think that he is the class horse in the race.”

Spillway is currently available at 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $21 and has flown under the radar heading into the event, despite the fact that he is taking Group 1 winning form into the race following his fast-finishing Australian Cup victory at Flemington on March 14.

Dabernig said that Spillway has done nothing wrong heading into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he revealed that the stable are also confident that the imported galloper will run a big race at Royal Randwick this weekend.

“He is a winner in Sydney this time last year and he also likes a bit of give in the ground,” Dabernig said.

“Obviously he is going into the race off the back of a last start win and we like his chances also.”

Criterion is currently available at 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $7.50 with Ladbrokes and is on the third line of betting behind Contributer ($3.80), To The World ($4.20) and Tosen Stardom ($7.50).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.