One of the leading chances for the final Classic event of the season, Gregory is said to still be all systems go for the Group One St Leger at Doncaster next month after his staying on third in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor meeting.
Making his debut this season at Haydock in April when taking a Novice Stakes over 11.5f, he showed a good attitude to go clear in the final furlong when only having to be ridden briefly.
Stepped up in class when last seen a Goodwood in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes over 11f, he is a horse still learning on the job, but the further he went the better he was and once again he powered clear close home to win by three lengths.
Stamina is something he does not lack and he showed that last time out in the Group Two Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot over 1m6f when making every yard to see off a nice type in Saint George by 1.5 lengths.
Dropping back to 1m4f when last seen in the Group Two Great Voltigeur did not play to his strengths with Dettori going hard from the front and it set the race up for the Aidan O'Brien trained Continuous.
Gregory did show his staying ability late on though having looked gassed at the 2f pole, he managed to stay on under no pressure from his rider, finishing out the event strongly to suggest stepping back up in trip for the St Leger will be perfect.
Being a half brother to Lionel who also won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes, also in his pedigree is relation to a Group One winner over 1m6f and a Group Two winner over 2m2f, all signs lead to a big run and his connections are very happy with him.
Frankie’s done it at his last #RoyalAscot! 🙌
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2023
Gregory wins the Queen’s Vase for the Gosdens and @FrankieDettori! @Ascot pic.twitter.com/zKA2zCHFXO
(Credit ATR) Richard Brown, racing adviser to Gregory’s owners Wathnan Racing, said: “We said after Ascot that his main target would be the Leger and that this (Great Voltigeur) was the obvious race to take en route.
“We’d love to have won it, but they went pretty hard up front – those early fractions were pretty fierce. We were initially disappointed, but then you see where the two horses that went with him finished and where he finished.
“Frankie looked after him when his winning chance had gone and actually when he stood up on him, the horse ran on again on his own.
"Back up to a mile and six (furlongs) in the Leger is going to be much more his game. I’ve been in racing long enough not to be overly optimistic as things go wrong and maybe he’s not good enough, but I think he’s going to go there with a big chance.”
Gregory is currently the 3/1 market leader for the event and his connections have suggested he is still all systems go for the final Classic event.
Brown added: “He’s come out of the race in great shape, John and Thady are very happy with him, it’s all systems go and we’re looking forward to it.
“It looks like it could be a very good renewal and with the royal runner as well, it’s exciting for racing.”