Kieran Shoemark’s mount Field Of Gold made up a huge amount of ground from the rear in Newmarket’s race sponsored by Betfred, which had a prize fund of £525,000. But he could not catch Godolphin-owned winner Ruling Court (9-2)
Favourite Field Of Gold ran out of time as Ruling Court held on to win the Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The 9-2 chance was chosen by jockey William Buick over top-rated Shadow Of Light and the pair had the race to themselves inside the final furlong.
But Field Of Gold, who could not match the winner’s initial burst of speed off a slow early pace, arrived late on the scene from the rear and appeared to be an unlucky loser.
His co-trainer John Gosden told ITV Racing: “There was a lack of pace and William got first run on us. He has finished very strongly but was probably a little too far back in the field and ran out of track.
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“William had that length-and-a-half on us and it has made the difference. That’s racing. We just needed to be a bit handier, it’s as simple as that. But he has run a great race.”
Pundit Jason Weaver said Field Of Gold came off the bridle when Ruling Court quickened which caught the runner-up out.
“When William let the winner go, Field Of Gold was caught momentarily flat-footed,” he explained.
“That was where he has lost his race and he ran on through the line.”
Ruling Court was a third winner of the race in four years for trainer Charlie Appleby and owners Godolphin, after Coroebus (2022) and Notable Speech last year.
In the build-up, Buick had taken time to decide which horse to partner, with both a similar price in betting shops midweek.
Ruling Court attracted support as the race neared and the €2,300,000 purchase showed an excellent turn of foot to challenge.
Eventual third Shadow Of Light (6-1) was a length up with the furlong marker in sight but he was cut back by his stablemate who passed the post half-a-length ahead of fast finisher Field Of Gold (15-8f).
“This feels special,” said Buick. “He was so smooth throughout the race. When he got organised his stamina shone through.
“For a Guineas we didn’t go very quick. He’s very intelligent and talented. It’s fantastic for the team.”
William Hill cut the winner to 4-1 for the Derby at Epsom on June 7, a colts’ Classic Appleby first landed in 2018 with Masar after he became number one trainer for Godolphin.
“I’d be confident we would stick to the Derby route but the decision will be made collectively,” he said.
“John’s horse came to the party late on as expected and he put it up to William and Ruling Court.
“That probably was the hardest decision he had to make as he has never had to get off a champion two-year-old to jump on a horse like him.
“It’s great for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and team Godolphin.”
