Field Of Gold Shines Bright as Colin Keane Claims Irish Classic Victory Colin Keane was the man for the big occasion at the Curragh as he steered Field Of Gold to a comprehensive success in the Irish 2000 Guineas for John & Thady Gosden. The Juddmonte-owned son of Kingman was deemed an unlucky loser in the Newmarket version three weeks earlier, but Keane's simple tactics took luck out of the equation and they claimed a fairly smooth success. Novibet Betting Offer If you already have a Novibet account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos From silver to Gold at Curragh After that fast-finishing second at the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier in the month, jockey Kieran Shoemark was replaced as the Gosden team vowed to use the 'best available jockey' to them going forward. Six-time Irish champion Keane duly got the call up for the first Irish Classic of the season and the Clarehaven team were rewarded with a Guineas success that was all very smooth. Sent off the even-money favourite, Field Of Gold sat in midpack before Keane brought him wide to challenge and they made smooth progress with a couple of furlongs to run before fairly sprinting clear. They came home three-and-three-quarter-lengths in front of fellow Juddmonte-owned runner Cosmic Year for Harry Charlton as the British runners enjoyed a one-two, with Hotazhell a further three-quarters of a length back in third for Jessica Harrington. Post-race, Keane was in little doubt as to the sheer class of the colt he'd just ridden to Guineas glory. Keane basks in glory "It was as good a feel as I've had off a horse in a long time," Keane told RTE Sport. "He's just so straightforward and powerful." John Gosden also trained Field Of Gold's sire and there are already real echoes of Kingman in this talented colt. Kingman was one of the best milers of recent times but he, like Field Of Gold, suffered heartbreak at Newmarket when denied by Night Of Thunder back in 2014 colts Classic before he also bounced back in spectacular fashion when charging five-lengths clear in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He went on and won another three consecutive Group 1s at Ascot, Goodwood and Deauville that summer. The experienced trainer sounded upbeat on the level of talent his latest Curragh Classic winner may have. "That ability to be laid back at home, half asleep and then when you press the button, they can turn it on," said John Gosden. "It's a great thing. Some Kingman's can be flighty, this is a very laid-back horse. It might be down to the man who reared him at Roundhill Stud here in Ireland. "He's right up there with his father. I think he's as good as his father." Following his Curragh win, Field Of Gold trades at around even-money to win the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17th. His Newmarket conqueror Ruling Court, priced at 12/1, could be there as could the Rowley Mile third Shadow Of Light for the same Charlie Appleby team. Aidan O'Brien's Henri Matisse won the French 2000 Guineas this month and could also be Royal Ascot-bound, as the various strands of Classic-winning form are likely to be weaved together at the Berkshire extravaganza. On the basis of what unfolded at the Curragh, where Field Of Gold oozed class and was too good for his rivals, and the fact he endured a hefty chunk of bad luck at Newmarket, it may take something special to thwart him.
