'We have a good bunch' - Field Of Gold adds his name to Juddmonte's promising juvenile squad with straightforward Solario success

For the second day in succession at Sandown, the Juddmonte silks were carried to victory by a juvenile with a seemingly bright future as Field Of Gold burst from the peloton to land the Group 3 Solario Stakes in style.

On Friday, Jonquil overcame trouble in running to make an eyecatching winning debut for the powerful owner-breeders, who already have the Group 1-winning two-year-old Babouche among their ranks in Ireland.

Field Of Gold held off the fast-finishing Matauri Bay by three-quarters of a length and will now bid to secure his own top-level honours this season, but connections are hopeful that next year will see the substantial son of Kingman at his zenith. 

"He's very exciting," said Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon. "He's always shown great potential at home and it's nice to see him finally deliver it on the track. 

"He'll stay a mile, but he has acceleration and a very good turn of foot. He's a big horse – 16 hands – and is going to be better as he strengthens. Hopefully he'll make a better three-year-old."

Field Of Gold: will likely contest the Lagardere or Dewhurst nextCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Field Of Gold was cut to 14-1 (from 25) with Paddy Power for next year's 2,000 Guineas, but he will not head into hibernation for the winter before a tilt at the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day at Longchamp.

"The Lagardere looks the obvious plan," said Mahon. "The two-year-olds have been exciting and Jonquil did it very well yesterday. In general we have a good bunch. They're led by Babouche in Ireland, who is a Group 1 winner, so it's been an exciting year.

"The mental maturity Jonquil showed to get up and win yesterday means he's definitely a horse who could step into stakes company next time."

Field Of Gold gave trainer John Gosden a record seventh win in the Solario, one more than Sir Henry Cecil, and a second success in partnership with his son Thady, who is already looking forward to next year.

"He's done most of that on natural ability and it looked like a deep field today, so hopefully he should keep on improving," said Gosden jnr. "There's plenty of scope for improvement and he's got a fantastic mind. He's very laid-back about life, which will help him develop."     

Victory provided Kieran Shoemark with his fourth victory at Group level since taking over from Frankie Dettori as first rider to the Gosdens and, after a low-key start to his tenure at Clarehaven Stables, could now have a live contender for next year's Classics.

"With his mentality and demeanour, he's got all the right attributes," said the winning rider. "He's very laid-back and there's no doubt he'll stay a mile."

While Shoemark was always well placed to strike off a muddling pace, Matauri Bay's challenge was delayed towards the inside rail. 

His trainer Ralph Beckett said: "Hector Crouch thought they slowed it down between the four-furlong marker and the three, and that perhaps cost us because he couldn't get out. When he did get out, he was a little green. He made up plenty of ground in the last furlong and I thought it was a good effort. 

"We'll think about the Lagardere and all of those races. He's not a big horse and we'll be getting on with him this year. He also moves like a horse who would appreciate some juice in the ground. If it starts raining next month, we'll be using that angle as well."

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