Virgin Bet Solario Stakes |
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| Group 3, Sandown 15:35 £65,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 7f 16y, Class 1  |
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1 Field Of Gold 5/4F
2 Matauri Bay 15/2
3 Royal Playwright 15/8
7 ran NR: An Outlaw's Grace
Distances: ¾l, 1½l, ¾l Time: 1m 29.48s (slow by 2.78s)
Field Of Gold is an exciting prospect and adds his name to an illustrious roll of honour with success in the Group 3 @SkyBet Solario Stakes.
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) August 31, 2024
Congratulations to John and Thady Gosden, @KShoemark and @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/KZArB1P2ys
Field Of Gold delivered a significant win for John and Thady Gosden by confirming his maiden victory at Sandown. Despite a challenging season for the Clarehaven trainers and jockey Kieran Shoemark, they now have a promising contender for major autumn juvenile races and next year’s big events.
Field Of Gold, sired by Kingman who won the same Group Three race for John Gosden in 2013, marked the seventh overall win for the trainer and the second in partnership with his son, following Reach For The Moon in 2021. Royal Playwright tried to lead from the start, but Shoemark remained confident, and Field Of Gold surged ahead by two lengths when prompted.
Matauri Bay closed the gap to three-quarters of a length but never truly threatened the 5-4 favorite. Thady Gosden noted the horse’s progress and the benefit of a break since his last run. He praised Field Of Gold’s natural ability and class, expressing optimism for further improvement next year.
Looking ahead, the team is considering the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and the Dewhurst Stakes for the end of the season. Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, favors the French option, highlighting Field Of Gold’s potential to excel as a three-year-old.
Field Of Gold is now a 16-1 shot for next year’s 2000 Guineas, with Matauri Bay at 20-1. Trainer Ralph Beckett is also eyeing ParisLongchamp on October 6, noting Matauri Bay’s strong finish despite some greenness and the potential benefit of softer ground conditions.
Solario Stakes
£60,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 (5) Field Of Gold 2 9-3 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark 5/4F
2 (2) ¾ Matauri Bay 2 9-3 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 15/2
3 (1) 1½ Royal Playwright 2 9-3 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 15/8
4 (8) ¾ Tiger Mask 2 9-3 K R Burke Clifford Lee 15/2
5 (7) 2¼ Hott Shott 2 9-3 Richard Hughes Rossa Ryan 16/1
6 (6) 1¾ Victory Sound 2 9-3 Charles Hills Tom Marquand 50/1
7 (3) 2¼ Zou's Your Daddy 2 9-3 Simon Pearce Billy Loughnane 150/1
NR 1 (4) An Outlaw's Grace 2 9-3 Richard Hannon Pat Dobbs
