David Hayes has described Criterion as equal to any horse he has trained in many years after the four-year-old's impressive raceday work-out at Sandown.

Hayes and Tom Dabernig took over the training of the dual Group One winner late last year and the horse will do his autumn racing in Sydney.

Criterion was making his first public appearance on Wednesday since finishing third to Designs On Rome in the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in December.

Ridden by Michael Walker, Criterion gave Orator (Stephen Baster) a start in the 1000m gallop and just shaded his stablemate, running 1m20.81s, the last 600m in 33.62s and the last 200m in 11.05s.

Hayes said Criterion would kick off his autumn campaign in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 7.

He will then progress to the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 21 and the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick three weeks later.

Criterion will have a private trial at Hayes' Lindsay Park property before heading to Sydney where Hayes believes he is a superior galloper.

"He worked beautifully on the Melbourne leg but I reckon he's a length or two better on the Sydney leg," Hayes said.

"The Canterbury Stakes is 1300 and it's a good horse's distance first-up.

"He's a proper horse. He's as good a quality horse that I've had through for a number of years."

Walker did not move on Criterion as he levelled up to Orator with 200m to run and said he sat up as he did not want him to race away from his stablemate.

"It's as nice an action on a horse as I've ridden," Walker said.

"It was really fluent, no running in, no running out.

"He's a lovely horse that is in for a good prep."

Baster was happy with the work of Orator but was glowing in his praise for Walker's mount.

"Mine is good, but his is very good," Baster said.