Field of dreams for power-packed Juddmonte operation

The Juddmonte team are in no rush to firm up running plans for next month’s Betfred 2000 Guineas, after Field Of Gold strengthened their formidable hand with a brilliant victory in the bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

The leading owner-breeders have four entries in the first colts’ Classic of the season over the Rowley Mile and in the last 10 days both Harry Charlton’s Cosmic Year and the Andrew Balding-trained Jonquil have staked their claims with impressive displays at Kempton and Newbury respectively.

On Wednesday it was the turn of John and Thady Gosden’s Field Of Gold to test his mettle over the Guineas course and distance and he passed the exam with flying colours, rocketing to the head of ante-post lists with a decisive three-and-a-half-length verdict.

“It’s been an unbelievable start to the year and it’s great credit to the owners who have put a lot of money in and bought some very good horses. It’s nice to see them getting their reward,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.

“That was just what we wanted to see today. Field Of Gold was the apple of our eye last year, it didn’t work out for us on his last run of the year in France (fourth in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere) with the ground and he broke very fast and was a little keen.

“It just didn’t pan out and while I wouldn’t say we came away disappointed, we knew it didn’t work out and we knew he was a talented horse, so it’s nice to see him come back and put in a performance like that, as it gives us hope that we could be set for a good year with him.”

Field Of Gold is the 11-4 market leader to provide the Gosdens with a first 2000 Guineas success in two and a half weeks’ time, with Cosmic Year and Jonquil priced up at 10-1 and 12-1 respectively.

Mahon also gave a positive mention to 50-1 shot Detain, Field Of Gold’s stablemate who was last seen scoring on the all-weather at Chelmsford, but he appears destined for Paris.

Mahon – who was also delighted to see the Juddmonte colours carried to Nell Gwyn glory on Tuesday by Zanzoun – added: “We’ve obviously got this horse, Jonquil and Cosmic Year and Detain is there as well. I know he only went to Chelmsford but he’s very much in the mix, although I think John feels the French Guineas is probably the place for him.

“The owners will have an input and we’ll have to see what the ground will be and how they come out of these trials is a big thing. There’s no point us making a decision today and then in 10 days’ time there’s a U-turn, so we’ll sit back and decide closer to the time what we’re going to do.

“We have the Irish Guineas and the French Guineas and it’s a nice problem to have.”