John Gosden was magnanimous in defeat after Field Of Gold had to settle for second in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas, 11 years after the runner-up’s sire Kingman was beaten by the same margin of half a length for the trainer.
In contrast to that day when the spoils were snatched away late by Night Of Thunder, Field Of Gold came with a late and unavailing challenge, meaning the wait for a 2,000 Guineas win for Gosden goes on.
Just as he did when so impressive in the Craven Stakes the previous month, the 15-8 favourite was settled well off the pace set by eventual fourth Tornado Alert and was travelling as well as anything at halfway.
But when he moved into contention under Kieran Shoemark approaching and passing the Bushes, the winner Ruling Court had accelerated ahead of him and Field Of Gold was always up against it from then on. He was closing in fast nearing the line – but not fast enough.
Gosden said: “Field Of Gold has run well in what is a strong race as the winner showed a lot of class last year and the third was champion two-year-old.
“I said earlier in the week that these horses that have not run in Europe this year should not be discounted and Ruling Court has possibly proved worth his purchase price [€2.3 million].”
Ruling Court (William Buick) beats Field Of Gold and Shadow of Light in the 2,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker
Reflecting on how the race panned out, he added: “The race wasn’t probably run in the fractions of the Craven Stakes and we were sat some way back. The winner has kicked and gone and we ran out of racetrack. Given another 25 yards the race would have been ours.”
The going was officially good, good to firm in places and had dried out a little from the previous day, which the Clarehaven handler indicated could have been a factor.
He added: “You’ll probably find he’s run a better race than he did in the trial but a trial is a trial. When this track gets fast like this it can ride slick with a crosstail wind and they can get away from you. It just got away from us, I’m afraid, as we came into the Dip from where he was clawing the ground back.
“I could see it was lost going into the Dip as we were just too far back and the winner got first run.”
He added: “We’ll talk with the family about where we go next but I think you’re looking at a St James’s Palace Stakes after that.”
Shoemark felt the favourite struggled in the Dip and suggested a step up in trip might suit. He said: “Field Of Gold travelled really well but just lost it in the Dip for a few strides and he look his time to find his feet. He stayed on well and he’ll be a ten-furlong horse in time.”
Tipster’s view: plenty to take from the first three
There is no doubt the role that tactics played in the 2,000 Guineas will be mentioned in the fallout with regards to favourite Field Of Gold, but it looked as though the best miler in the field prevailed.
There wasn’t a lot of pace on and William Buick sat a bit handier than runner-up Field Of Gold and third-placed Shadow Of Light, but that was not what won him the race. It was Ruling Court’s instant acceleration when asked for an effort.
William Buick waves to the crowd after winning the 2000 Guineas on Ruling CourtCredit: Edward Whitaker
There is a chance he’ll stay the Derby trip, but I would prefer him to stay over this distance as the way he quickened off a slow pace would make him a force in the top mile races.
Field Of Gold was pretty much level with Shadow Of Light entering the final two furlongs, but by the furlong pole he was a couple of lengths adrift, having looked a bit flat-footed, while the latter was alongside the winner.
Field Of Gold’s final furlong was by far his best, just as it was when winning the Craven, and the way he powered home suggests he’ll be better over another furlong or two – or in a strongly run race over a mile.
Shadow Of Light, though, could make his mark as a sprinter. He saw out the mile well enough, just being outstayed by the front two, but he showed a good change of gear to get to the front and, given he was a seriously impressive winner of the Middle Park last year, he could rank highly in the sprint division if he were to drop back in trip.
Harry Wilson
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