Juddmonte team considering Kalpana and Field Of Gold plans

No decisions have yet been made on future plans for Juddmonte’s star duo of Kalpana and Field Of Gold.

The Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana won on Champions Day for the second successive season when taking the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes by two and a half lengths but whether she stays in training for another year is undecided.

Field Of Gold travelled well for a long way in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but lack of a recent run took its toll and John and Thady Gosden’s dual Group One winner finished fifth behind 100-1 victor Cicero’s Gift.

Whether he goes to the Breeders’ Cup or comes back next year still has to be discussed.

“I think it will be later in the week before we decide on that, they both came out of their races well. I’ve spoken to Andrew and John and both are fine,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte.

“Kalpana seems to have a great liking for Ascot – her three best performances have all been there – for whatever reason we don’t know, but it’s not a bad place to like.

“The ground is probably a little bit less important than we felt last year, good ground or even good to firm all came alike to her this year so she’s great.

“In fairness Field Of Gold ran a good race but probably the lack of a run after Goodwood, when he had three weeks not being ridden, just caught him out in the end.

“Colin (Keane, jockey) said he felt like the winner passing the two but when he got to the one he gave a big heave, so just lack of fitness and match practice on the day. He went for his girths passing the furlong.

“He looked well, he looked to have condition on him in the ring and in fairness to John and Thady, he’d done everything they had asked of him at home but they’d have loved to have got a racecourse gallop into him – time just didn’t allow it and it cost him on the day.”