NEWS BRIEFS - DECEMBER 1, 2014

By Graham Potter | Monday, December 1, 2014

SETBACK FOR CRITERION:

Criterion’s Hong Kong mission suffered a setback with the four-year-old son of Sebring suffering from a bout of colic at the weekend. This morning David Hayes indicated the colic attack was likely to have more impact on Criterion’s travel arrangements than on his participation in the race as he ideally wanted like to give Criterion a couple of days extra to recover before taking the flight to Hong Kong (which he was scheduled to undertake today) … but, after due consideration with Criterion passing a veterinary examination, Hayes decided to stick with the original travel plans, meaning that Criterion will take his place on the Hong Kong bound flight today alongside Australia’s other representative, Buffering.

*Criterion only switched stables a month ago when previous trainer David Payne had a disagreement the owner over programming. “The owner wanted to send the horse to Hong Kong and I wanted to send him to the spelling paddock,” explained Payne. For a moment there after the colic episode it looked like it might turn out to be a no-win situation for all concerned but Criterion's swift recovery rate has put his Hong Kong assignment back on track.

THE RISE AND RISE OF JOAO MOREIRA:

Joao Moreira had ten rides in the highly competitive Hong Kong arena on Sunday. He came away with five wins, third seconds, a third and a fourth placing. Individual results just don’t get much better than that! Moreira now leads the Jockey’s Premiership by nine wins over Zac Purton and, with his red hot form, Moreira is likely to increase that margin in the short term with Purton due to sit out a two meeting suspension.

SADLER SAFE AND READY TO GO:

It certainly didn’t look good at the time but Thomas Sadler has thankfully escaped without serious injury following his fall on Massiyn at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Whether Sadler’s bruising will allow him to be back in the saddle as early as Tuesday remains to be seen but it was an outcome where Sadler’s dad, trainer John Sadler, assessment of ‘he was just so very lucky,’ might just be an understatement!

RACING QUEENSLAND’S FREE VIDEO REPLAYS:

Racing Queensland has announced that Queensland TAB thoroughbred weekend race replays will now be available each Monday (starting this afternoon) and stay live for 30 days after the race-day. Go to racevideo.com.au. In another development, Racing Queensland has entered into a partnership with respected timing service Daily Sectionals to ensure Queensland sectional times are reviewed by a third party and adjusted if necessary.