Field of Gold, Swelter Carry Juddmonte Classic Hopes
Juddmonte will be leaving nothing to chance in its search for a first classic victory of the season after two near-misses, with Field of Gold heading a three-strong assault on the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) and the unbeaten Swelter carrying hopes 24 hours later in the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1).
After going down by a rapidly diminishing half length to Kentucky-bred Ruling Court at Newmarket, Field of Gold will be partnered by Colin Keane on his recovery mission, while Oisin Murphy, who landed the Lockinge Stakes (G1) for Juddmonte aboard Lead Artist Saturday, will be reunited with the unbeaten Cosmic Year . The Andrew Balding-trained Windlord , runner-up in the Classic Trial Stakes (G3) at Sandown, completes the team.
Having tried to keep a clutch of extremely talented 3-year-old milers apart in the first weeks of the season, Greenham winner Jonquil went to France, only to be beaten a head by Henri Matisse , the operation will be three-handed in the Curragh Classic, with general manager Barry Mahon keen to establish which horses should be aimed where at Royal Ascot and beyond.
“It’s going to make the picture a lot clearer, and it’s obviously a knock-on of not winning the Two Thousand Guineas in Newmarket with Field of Gold,” he said.
“Windlord started out with (an Epsom) Derby preparation and the jockey and trainer felt he didn’t stay so he’s back at a mile. With Cosmic Year, in fairness, this was always his intended target. It’s a lovely problem to have with them and it’s going to answer a lot of questions about who goes to the St James’s, who goes somewhere else like the Prix Jean Prat.”
Field of Gold is trading at a best-priced 8-11 to atone for his reverse on the Rowley Mile under Kieran Shoemark, and Mahon reports that John and Thady Gosden have been pleased with how the son of Kingman has maintained his form since Newmarket.
“They’ve been very happy with him,” said Mahon. “He won’t have done a huge amount, just a little bit on Saturday and he went well. He’s pretty laid-back with a good constitution so he takes everything in his stride.
“That makes it a little bit easier to have what is a relatively quick turnaround in three weeks when you’re competing at that level. He eats well and relaxes well so they’re happy with him.”
Mahon is no less excited about stepping up Leopardstown group 3 winner Swelter to group 1 level in the Irish One Thousand Guineas, while confirming that Red Letter will not take her chance.
“We’re looking forward to her [Swelter]. She looked really good in her maiden at two and then had a little setback and we didn’t get back to the track,” Mahon said.
Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas (3:40 local time, Curragh, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 8-11 Field Of Gold, 4 Cosmic Year, 5 Twain, 6 Officer, Ruling Court, 8 Hotazhell, 12 Currawood, Henri Matisse, Scorthy Champ, 14 bar
Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (3.40 local time, Curragh, Sunday)
Sky Bet: 2 Lake Victoria, 7-2 Swelter, 9-2 Flight, 5 Red Letter, 7 Simmering, 10 Desert Flower, 12 Cercene, Exactly, 16 Ballet Slippers, Dreamy, January, 20 bar
