It is all systems go for the David Hayes-trained filly Gregers this spring, the 2013 Thousand Guineas firmly in her sights after an emphatic first-up win at Moonee Valley on the weekend.
Smart filly Gregers will target the 2013 Thousand Guineas this season. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
Just one race after the Rick Hore-Lacy-trained Clevadude and Kiwi raider Cauthen displayed their claims for the $1 million Group 1 The BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) running the quinella in the first, Gregers also flashed her credentials for another Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival classic.
The nicely-bred daughter of Commands out of Canny Lad mare Satnav, Gregers proved she was more than just a promising last-season juvenile when she resumed in Melbourne to win the $80,000 Aquanas Foods BM78 Handicap (1000m) with ease.
And like Clevadude, she too defeated the odds-on favourite with Gregers ($3.70) putting four and a quarter lengths on the Peter Snowden-trained Metastasio ($1.95).
“That was a bit special,” The Herald Sun reported Hall of Famer Hayes as saying after the win.
“What I liked was she did so much wrong and still exploded away from them.
The winner enjoyed a three kilo weight relief with apprentice Kayla Nisbet in the saddle meaning Gregers had three kilos less than Snowden’s 60kg topweight who was ridden by globetrotting super hoop Craig Williams.
It was the first start from Gregers since her close fourth to Miracles Of Life in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) back in February, a race Chairman’s Stakes winner Metastasio finished eighth in.
Before that Gregers won on debut at Moonee Valley, retaining her perfect record at the track on Saturday.
Hayes is now confident she can continue to rise through the ranks and progress in distance as he eyes a win in the $500,000 Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield Racecourse on Wednesday October 16, four days after the Caulfield Guineas.
“I wouldn’t have a better one for the Guineas than her at the moment,” he said.
“They’ll have to be good to beat her in the races coming up.”
It is a nice form line already for her too as last year’s Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel won the same Moonee Valley race last August before going all the way to Group 1 level.
With a likely three weeks between runs, Gregers could race next-up in the $150,000 Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 31.
“I’m in no hurry with her,” Hayes, who won the 2009 Thousand Guineas with Irish Lights, said.
“She’s a long way ahead after that of we’re we need to be.
“We’ll just cruise along toward the Thousand Guineas now.”
Gregers will be one of the many new three-year-old fillies entered for the feature when Thousand Guineas 2013 nominations are taken by Racing Victoria on Tuesday, August 8.
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