A clever ride by Chad Schofield saw Gregers bounce back into Thousand Guineas contention by winning the Group 2 $175,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Gregers holds off the challengers to win the Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Schofield had the David Hayes trained filly travelling smoothing in fourth position on the fence in a muddling run race and after cutting the corner when most riders went looking for the better going out wide was able to hold off the fast finishing Marianne and Politeness to win his first Group 2 race.

Gregers had won her first two starts this time in but had her colours lowered when fifth to Charlie  Boy down the Flemington straight in the Group 2 $220,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at on September 7.

The Commands filly will now head to the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 16 and is ready to take on top Sydney filly Guelph who scored a convincing win in the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick today.

Hayes is confident that Gregers will run out a strong 1600m and is hoping that Guelph leaves her best form in Sydney.

“Guelph is very good, she might be better in Sydney I hope,” Hayes said.

“This filly is going to be hard to beat in anything she runs in. If things go her way I think she will be devastating.”

Schofield was happy to stay closer to the inside on the worst section of the track on Gregers ($6.5) but was still able hold off Marianne ($8) and Politeness ($3.10 favourite) who both put in first class Thousand Guineas trials.