It’s been a while between drinks for the connections of Field Of Gold, but the talented galloper looked back to his impressive best when taking out the JR N Berkett 1400 at Trentham on Sunday.
The big-striding chestnut was among the top three-year-olds of his year, and in the care of Tony Pike, he won the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m), after placing in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m).
Field Of Gold struggled to replicate that form in the following season while still posting a win in March of 2023, his last time in the winner's circle before heading to Bill Thurlow's stable. In five starts last season for the Waverley horseman, he put together a trio of good placings.
After trialling twice in preparation, it all came together again in the Rating 75 contest, where his 62kg impost was decreased by Sima Mxothwa's four-kilogram claim. Friendless in the market, Field Of Gold started at $26 on TAB Fixed Odds and raced three-wide for much of the 1400m journey, while Knight's Realm controlled the tempo and gave the field something to chase in the straight.
Race-favourite Scouser looked ominous at the 300m and started to wear down the leader, but coming hard to his outside was Field Of Gold, who showed a serious will to win in the closing stages, sticking his neck out and finding the line over Knight's Realm, with Scouser only a long-head back in third.
Thurlow was rapt with the performance, particularly after revealing the gelding had faced a setback which pushed back his return to race-day this season.
"It was great, he's a horse that has had his issues so for him to come back and do that, it's absolutely outstanding really," Thurlow said. "We're very happy with him.
"He had a little hairline fracture which took a while to come right, he was just starting to really get going last season and that happened and set him back again. He's had a bit of bad luck to be honest, but Matt and Diana (owners) really love the horse, so they have given him the time and let him come through it."
Field Of Gold holds an early nomination for the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) in early February, but Thurlow is happy to take the gelding race-by-race at this stage.
"We had pencilled in an open mile for him in a couple of weeks, then there is the Marton Cup (Listed, 2200m) which he may end up at," he said.
"In saying that, we'll really just see how he comes through this race because first and foremost it's the horse, but if he comes through well and he's happy and sound, we've got a few little targets for him."
A son of Starspangledbanner, Field Of Gold was bred by his owners, the Goodson and Perrin Family Trust. The victory placed him just shy of $250,000 in stakes earnings, with five wins in 26 starts.
Field Of Gold's success continued a glittering season for Thurlow's stable, as his 17th winner in just 60 starters.
"I've got a very good team around me and the horses are going very well," he said.
