John and Thady Gosden’s Field Of Gold will look to continue to emulate the season of his great sire Kingman when he takes on his elders for the first time in the Sussex Stakes.
Following an agonising defeat in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, Field Of Gold quickly set the record straight with dominant displays in both the Irish Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, continuing to replicate the three-year-old formbook his sire produced.
Kingman went on to land the Group 1 hat-trick in snug style when caressed to the front by James Doyle in the Sussex Stakes eleven years ago and connections of Field Of Gold, who is a general 4/11 chance to complete the same treble, will be hoping their latest striking grey can go on to replicate his father in the hands of William Buick, who steps in for the suspended Colin Keane.
"His father did it in somewhat cheeky fashion, it was an extraordinary race," reflecting John Gosden, who trains Field Of Gold in partnership with his son Thady. "They literally crawled, then sprinted in the last two furlongs, and fortunately we got it just right on the line with James Doyle aboard.
"Field Of Gold has 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 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."
The fine son of Kingman finished three and a half lengths in front of Henri Matisse when the pair met in the St James's Palace Stakes, but O'Brien remains hopeful that his French 2000 Guineas hero could at least bridge the gap when they renew rivalry on the Sussex Downs.
He said: "So far everything has gone well since Ascot and we're looking forward to seeing him run,"
"We think he's gone the right way since Ascot."
