Gatewood has moved closer to another trip to Australia with victory in the Group Three Prix de Reux at Deauville.

A crack at the Melbourne Cup is on the agenda for the six-year-old, who is part-owned by Australian-based OTI Racing.

Having spent his formative years with John Gosden, Gatewood travelled to Australia in 2012 to win the 2012 Geelong Cup.

That was not enough to get him into the Melbourne Cup field and after a stint with Chris Waller, he rejoined Gosden last year.

Ridden by William Buick, Gatewood tracked the leader Swacadelic for much of the 2400m on the soft track at Deauville before assuming control to record a comfortable win.

"He handles this ground better than most of them and he will be suited to Melbourne, as good ground is also fine," Buick said.

"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."