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| Staff Writer |
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Field Of Gold stands poised for a tilt at the St James's Palace Stakes following his impressive triumph in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh. The son of Kingman, trained by Thady Gosden in partnership with his father John, has emerged as a leading contender for the Group One contest at Royal Ascot.
The Juddmonte-owned colt's path to the Berkshire venue mirrors that of his sire, who captured both the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes in 2014. Having finished runner-up in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before claiming Classic honours at the Curragh, Field Of Gold has demonstrated the progressive profile that marks him as a serious Royal Ascot prospect.
Thady Gosden remains impressed with his charge's condition following the Irish success. "He ran a huge race in Ireland, but he came out of it great. He is his usual self. He is a very laid-back character," the trainer explained.
"He can turn it on when he has to as we saw at the Curragh, and he seems to have bounced out of it so far. With Juddmonte their homebreds and purchases seem to be hitting the top level, so it is brilliant to be involved with them."
The trainer highlighted the colt's impressive physical development from juvenile to 3YO campaigns. "He evidently has a lot of ability, and he has got plenty of size and stature about him. He really has developed from two to three and you couldn't ask him to change in any more positive ways. This year he is a much stronger horse, and he has really filled into his frame."
While connections consider their options between the mile St James's Palace Stakes and a potential step up to ten furlongs in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, Gosden expressed his preference for the Royal Ascot assignment. "We will discuss it with the family, but the St James's Palace Stakes looks like a great spot for him."
Sardinian Warrior appears destined for the Queen Anne Stakes after his encouraging performance in the Gr.1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp. The son of Saxon Warrior finished second to Sosie, trained by Andre Fabre, in what represented his first attempt at nine furlongs.
Gosden viewed the French expedition as a fact-finding mission regarding future trip requirements. "It was all going wonderfully to plan for Sardinian Warrior until Andre Fabre decided to supplement Sosie, but congratulations to him as he is a serious horse and he just outstayed us," he reflected.
"It was a little bit of a fact-finding mission to see whether we would be going over a mile and a quarter or at a mile with him for the rest of the season. On that evidence we would be going back down to a mile now, but he is a horse that has made great progress."
The trainer praised the colt's development following three victories at Southwell before his creditable effort in the Paradise Stakes at Ascot. Having returned from France in good order, Sardinian Warrior looks set for the Group One contest over the straight mile at Royal Ascot, provided he continues to thrive in the coming days.