UK stayer Gatewood may have earned himself a second trip to the Melbourne spring carnival with his win Monday morning (AEST) in the Prix de Reux at Deauville, reports Racing Network.
Gatewood, who campaigned for trainer John Gosden during the 2012 spring carnival, posted a comfortable two-length win in the Group 3 race.
While the Terry Henderson and Simon O’Donnell OTI syndicate-owned Gatewood had only four rivals, his latest victory underscored just how well the seven-year-old is racing.
Gatewood now boasts three wins and two seconds from his five starts this year.
Jockey William Buick reported that Gatewood was always travelling sweetly in the heavy ground and hinted that a return trip to Melbourne is something that seriously needs consideration.
"He handles this ground better than most of them and he will be suited to Melbourne, as good ground is also fine,” Buick told the Sporting Life.
"He travels very well and can go with that kick of his. It's really nice to have him back to where he was.
"In the race he was always going well, I managed to get a lead and was then able to kick on."
Gatewood won the 2012 Geelong Cup then finished sixth behind Kelinni in the Lexus Stakes, but was unable to gain a start in the Melbourne Cup.
The horse was transferred to Chris Waller, but he was unable to reproduce his best and he was sent back to Gosden.