Second Stakes-Winner for Sebring

Handsome Sebring colt Criterion is Golden Slipper bound following an incredibly tough win in Sunday’s $250,000 Listed Kamberra Wine Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra.
Caught five and six deep for the entire trip, Criterion still found a turn of foot in the straight to defeat Darley’s Exceed and Excel colt Sidestep by a long neck.
A winner at Rosehill on debut, Criterion finished third behind Never Can Tell and Whittington in the Listed ATC Canonbury Stakes on February 16, his overall record now two wins from three starts with prizemoney of $215,150.
Trainer David Payne said the progressive colt had plenty of improvement left.
“We put the blinkers on him and that helped but there is plenty more improvement left in him,” Payne told Sky Racing World.
“I have always said this is my best Slipper runner so I hope I’m right and that will be his goal.
“I think the outside barrier was in his favour he is such a long striding horse. He made a long run but in the Slipper if he draws well and he gets a bit of cover, he’ll be way better.”
Foaled in New Zealand, Criterion is a homebred for Go Bloodstock and is a half-brother to Group II winner Varenna Miss and stakes-winner Silently being the fifth winner of six foals to race from Group III winning Bite the Bullet (USA) mare Mica’s Pride.
He is the second stakes-winner for Sebring joining Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview winner Dissident and is one of seven first crop winners for the Golden Slipper winner, who is the leading first season sire by winners.
Sebring has an impressive draft of 16 for the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.