David Hayes is convinced Gregers is going as well as she was before her dominant first-up win as the Thousand Guineas hopeful prepares to take another step towards her spring goals on Saturday.
Gregers was impressive first-up at Moonee Valley on August 3, winning by 4-1/4-lengths over Metastasio to stamp herself as a leading Thousand Guineas prospect.
Hayes has elected to take her back to the Valley for the Mitchelton Wines Plate (1200m) and the three-year-old is the shortest-priced favourite on Saturday’s program at $1.60.
Hayes concedes it is hard to expect the filly to improve on her first-up showing.
“You wouldn’t expect that because she was so good,” he said.
“But she doesn’t look like she’s gone backwards.”
Chad Schofield takes over from another Hayes stable apprentice, Kayla Nisbet, on Saturday.
Gregers has won twice at Moonee Valley with her only other start coming in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in February when she finished fourth to Miracles Of Life.
A return to stakes racing is pencilled in for her next start but Hayes feels the set weights plus penalties conditions of Saturday’s race presents an enticing opportunity to get another win on the board.
“Under the terms of the race, she’s probably getting in three kilos light which is an advantage to her,” Hayes said.
“That’s why we chose it for her.
“If she wins it nicely she’s on trial for the Danehill.”
The Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) is at Flemington on September 7.
From there the filly is likely to progress to the Thousand Guineas Prelude before tackling the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m).
Gregers is also among nominations for the Cox Plate.
