"The testing ground suited him and I was confident. I haven't gone into a big race for a long time as confident as I was. He has done everything asked of him."
Jeune won the 1994 Melbourne Cup the spring before his Queen Elizabeth victory and was that season's Horse of the Year.
Although Red Cadeaux ($21) didn't win, his trainer Ed Dunlop could not have been happier with his second vindicating the decision to run in the 2000m race, in preference to the gruelling Sydney Cup (3200m).
"I don't know what will happen yet but we will come back for another Melbourne Cup."
That is not a race Hayes or owner New Zealand businessman Sir Owen Glenn have in mind for Criterion with the pair eyeing another clash with Red Cadeaux in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong on April 26 before a trip to England.
"I would like to take him to Royal Ascot for the Prince Of Wales' Stakes," said Glenn, who also bred Criterion. "It would be wonderful if he could win there."
Royal Descent recorded another group one placing when she ran 1 lengths behind Red Cadeaux.
Criterion has now had four starts for Hayes and Tom Dabernig after beginning his career with David Payne, who prepared him for wins in last year's Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.
Hayes has re-established himself on a new property at Euroa after selling Lindsay Park.
"Getting horses in big races is why I built the place and they are just starting to pop up more regularly now and running well," he said.
"Criterion has benefited from that life. He arrived with me in great order. All I've done is fed him and played with him."
While the English camp was thrilled with Red Cadeaux, the Japanese visitors had mixed fortunes with Tosen Stardom fifth and To The World second last of the 13 runners.
Yasutoshi Ikee, the trainer of both horses, said To The World had never been on a heavy track until Saturday.
Cox Plate winner Adelaide ran eighth with connections saying the ground would not suit.
- AAP