Goliath warms up for the Japan Cup by beating Hamish in Paris

Francis-Henri Graffard’s strike had not been seen in competitive action since his spectacular display at Ascot in late July, when he denied 25/1 odds to easily account for subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking and last month’s Preis von. Europe conqueror Rebel’s Romance.

As a gelding, Goliath was unable to run in the Arc himself and with connections also deciding not to return to Ascot for the Champion Stakes, the Japan Cup was identified as his big end-of-season target.

After missing a rematch with Rebel’s Romance in Germany following a minor setback, the four-year-old was diverted to Group Two on home soil and was unsurprisingly a hot order in the hands of Christophe Soumillon.

Goliath first wore John Stewart’s colors after the American owner purchased a significant share from Philip Baron von Ullmann in the aftermath of his victory over King George, and came third for much of the mile-and-a-half journey. with Maniatic and the William Haggas-trained Hamish the two ahead of him.

A motionless Soumillon cut a confident figure in the saddle early in the straight as he looked around for dangers – and while the admirable Hamish refused to go down without a fight and kept the big favorite honest, Goliath took his measure late on and passed the post a cozy half-length winner.

Graffard told the PA news agency: “I couldn’t be happier with Goliath. The horse needed the race and it is all part of his preparation for his participation in the Japan Cup.

“I’m very happy, it was a good run and a good ride from Christophe and the horse will make a lot of progress.”

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