Field Of Gold has emerged as the 7-2 favorite for the 2,000 Guineas following a dominant victory in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket. This victory marks the horse’s second major 2,000 Guineas trial win in the span of just five days, cementing Field Of Gold as a serious contender for the first colts’ Classic of the season.
The Craven Stakes, traditionally a key trial for the 2,000 Guineas, saw a wide-open field this year, making it difficult for the market to settle on a clear favorite. However, just before the race, Field Of Gold was backed into 100-30 and delivered an impressive performance. Ridden by Kieran Shoemark, the colt traveled smoothly along the near side of the course before unleashing a sharp turn of foot in the final furlong. His acceleration took him to the front, and he powered clear to win by three-and-a-half lengths.
This victory followed a strong showing from Jonquil, trained by Andrew Balding, who triumphed in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury earlier in the week. Both Field Of Gold and Jonquil are part of the Juddmonte breeding operation, which has had a significant impact on the build-up to the 2,000 Guineas. The win in the Craven Stakes also came as a boost to John Gosden, who trains Field Of Gold. Gosden, who has won every British Classic except the 2,000 Guineas, expressed his satisfaction with the performance, though he was careful to maintain perspective. “This is a trial, it’s not the Guineas and you’re not fully wound up for this,” he said. “The race puts them where you want them, that’s the idea of the trials.”
Gosden acknowledged that Field Of Gold had shown an exceptional turn of speed, something he had not seen from a colt in a Guineas trial before. With the horse now on the road to the 2,000 Guineas, Gosden pointed out that Juddmonte’s success in both the Greenham and the Craven Stakes put the breeding operation in a strong position to have multiple contenders for the Guineas. The family of horses involved will have to decide whether they campaign both Jonquil and Field Of Gold for the Guineas or focus one of them on the French Classics.
Field Of Gold’s victory in the Craven Stakes also saw a shake-up in the betting market for the 2,000 Guineas. Previously the favorite, Aidan O’Brien’s Twain has now been overtaken by Field Of Gold, who is now the market leader at 7-2. Twain, though still considered a strong contender, has drifted to 5-1. Other notable contenders for the Guineas include Scorthy Champ, the National Stakes winner, and Shadow Of Light, Charlie Appleby’s Dewhurst Stakes winner. Both are listed at 8-1, with the latter having shown impressive form as a two-year-old.
As the countdown to the 2,000 Guineas continues, Field Of Gold’s performance in the Craven Stakes has marked him as one of the standout contenders. His blend of speed, stamina, and form in a key trial has established him as a serious threat to challenge for the prestigious Classic in just a few weeks’ time.
