John Gosden gives the lowdown on his Glorious Goodwood runners including Field Of Gold
John Gosden says Field Of Gold is 'in great order' ahead of his first big race showdown against older horses. The three-year-old has emerged as the top miler of his generation after sparkling wins in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Next he must prove himself against his elders who he meets for the first time in Wednesday's £1 million Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes, one of the highlights of five-day Glorious Goodwood Festival..
The Group 1 race has attracted a six-strong line-up including top older milers Docklands and Rosallion, first and second in the Queen Anne Stakes, and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Henri Matisse. Field Of Gold will be the stand out horse of a strong team which will represent father and son training duo John and Thady Gosden.
Gosden Snr has shared his thoughts on his leading challengers over the first two days.
TUESDAY
2.30 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes - Audience 'He hasn't quite repeated last year's winning form yet. We sent him down to Dubai, which might not have been the smartest move in the world, running him over six [furlongs]. He's well in himself and happy. He enjoys the track, and if he gets a reasonable draw, I think he'll run a big race again.'
3.05 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup - Sweet William 'He's been in very good form. He broke well; he was up in what was a tough race [Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup]. In the end, it was a little too far for him [2m 4f]. He's a two-mile to two-and-a-quarter-mile horse, the two and a half was just a little bit too far for him, but he ran a brave race. He's in very good form. Rab Havlin rides him every day, he's very pleased with him. And obviously, he knows Goodwood well, so back we go again. We hope he'll run a huge race; I assume Illinois is the favourite if he comes, but the idiosyncrasies of the track amuse Sweet William, he rather likes it.'
French Master 'I think the step up in trip will be within his range. The two miles of Goodwood is a little up and down, with twists and turns. I think he's a horse who will rise to the occasion. He won in good style, but he's going from a handicap in a rating band to a completely open Group 1. We're hopeful he'll run a good race. He did a little breeze with Sweet William. There wasn't much between them, nicely on the bridle, looking after each other. Sweet William was a neck up, actually. We're very much looking forward to running him and seeing the jump in class. The great thing is, if he doesn't handle it, we can regroup on it.'
WEDNESDAY
3.05 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes - Field Of Gold 'He's been a grand horse to train; he's done nothing but thrive this year. We've been pleased with his progress all the way through. The Sussex is a different test of a horse. If you've ever walked the track, it's quite a surprise, it runs down into a dip, swings up and around. You don't want too big a field and get a high draw because you are literally down the hill looking at the horses getting the shortest run round up the hill, so the draw is a big factor there if you get a large field. The horse is athletic, he's got great balance, and hopefully he'll handle the track well. It's very different to the round mile of Ascot or the Curragh, that's for sure. He's in great order, and we're looking forward to running him. It's very much the obvious race to go to for him. He does have that great turn of foot, and let's hope we get a clear run, and he can produce it on the day.'
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South Wales Guardian
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