Gronkowski further enhanced his Kentucky Derby claims with victory in the 32Red Burradon Stakes at Newcastle.
The Jeremy Noseda-trained colt, named after New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, is now four from four on an artificial surface and is being aimed at the big race in America on May 5.
Jamie Spencer was typically patient aboard the 13/8 favourite, settling him towards the rear of the field, while Mark Johnston's filly Nyaleti set the fractions.
Gronkowski found a gap on the rail two furlongs down and quickened up well to take the £100,000 Listed race by a length and a quarter.
There was just a short head between Iconic Sunset and Dark Acclaim in second and third respectively.
Noseda told At The Races: "We've had this (Kentucky Derby) dream and now the dream is alive.
"We'll go to Kentucky and it will be a huge task and a huge ask, but it's what we set out to do.
"We're going to try and Run for the Roses underneath the Twin Spires. It's always been a dream of mine and I'm looking forward to it.
"It sounds strange but I haven't yet seen on the racetrack what I believe this horse is capable of. I'm sure there's more to come. We'll go and sharpen up and get ready for Kentucky now. We'll need a much better effort, but I'm sure we can do ourselves justice.
"He hasn't got real gears but if he can get into a rhythm, he can keep in a rhythm a long time."
On his name, the trainer added: "He has size and scope, that's why he's called Gronkowski. The player himself is six-foot-six and six-foot-six wide. The dream lives on."
