David Hayes will oversee former Hong Kong galloper Dibayani's Australian debut before heading back to England where Criterion runs in the Juddmonte Stakes.

Dibayani is set to run in Saturday's P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.

Hayes had considered starting the six-year-old son of Shamardal in the Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington but elected to wait the extra week and start him of in Saturday's Group Two race at Caulfield.

"I just thought 1400 metres would be better for him first-up," Hayes said.

"The straight can sort those horses out as it can be a hard run first-up.

"He's trialled well and I like him."

Dibayani will be joined in the Lawrence Stakes by Petrology who pleased the stable with his first-up third behind Smokin' Joey in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on July 25.

Hayes plans to tackle the first Group One race of the season, the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29 with Petrology whose main aim is the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield in October.

"I thought he went pretty good first-up," Hayes said.

"He got out-sprinted and he's never been a Group horse at 1200 metres.

"He's more of a miler and is heading towards the Memsie and the Toorak."

With Michael Walker sidelined through suspension, Hayes said he hoped to engage Dwayne Dunn for Petrology with Damian Lane booked for Dibayani.

Lane has been riding in good form since his return from Hong Kong and landed a winner at Flemington on Saturday.

"He's been riding work once a week for us so we'll be giving him more opportunities," Hayes said.

Hayes will be on a plane after Saturday's meeting to oversee the final stages of Criterion's preparation for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 19.

"I'm thankful that will be my last trip and I'll be back the following Friday," Hayes said.

"I'll be in the plane longer than I'm there."

Hayes said he was hoping for soft ground when Criterion takes on the likes of Golden Horn, Gleneagles, Time Test and The Grey Gatsby in the Juddmonte.

"I reckon he's in really good shape, except I'm not happy about the opposition," he said.

"I'd be more confident if it's wet."

Hayes said William Buick was booked to ride Criterion, a last-start fifth in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, unless Godolphin emerged with another runner.