Criterion settles in well ahead of Royal Ascot Australian star Criterion is reported to be thriving as he enters the final stages of his preparation for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot next week. The David Hayes-trained four-year-old is currently gearing up for the big meeting at John Gosden's Newmarket yard and after an initial settling-in period, the Group One winner is nearing peak condition after a recent racecourse spin at Ascot. Having originally hoped to secure the services of a locally-based leading rider, Hayes has now decided he may stick to what he knows on the jockey front, although a final call will be made when the owner arrives in the country. Craig Williams rode Criterion in his last three starts in Australia, while Chad Schofield has been partnering the Sebring colt in his work. "He has really settled in well. He arrived and felt the trip a bit and initially he had a bit of a spiked temperature and his blood wasn't quite right," said Hayes. "Luckily he was having an easy couple of weeks after his busy schedule and it didn't really affect his training routine as I was going to give him two weeks to settle in. "Once the blood came right, for the last three weeks he has had a lovely build-up and hasn't missed a beat. He had a look around Ascot two weeks out from his race to have a look at the course and give him a simulation of a race and he came through that very well. "More importantly, that brought him on and switched him on again. He will have a cruisey-gallop on the Watered Gallop tomorrow and then we will just be tapering into the race. "We thought we would try for either Frankie Dettori or Ryan Moore but they both have commitments. Chad Schofield rides him in all his fast work and has not hurt his chances of riding him. "Sir Owen Glenn (owner) will watch him do his final serious gallop and he will then make a decision as to who will ride him."
