The racers expected him to win and those around him most likely expected to win, but at this level, races are always difficult to win, especially when you are making a comeback, preparing for other events and that we restore weight (2 kg) to quality horses…More seen since July 27 and his English triumph in the King George, Goliath (4 years old) should therefore reassure those around him and consolidate his status as the best European gelding (with Calandagan) before going to challenge the best in Japan. Christophe Soumillon, his jockey, therefore strived to give the best lessons to the son ofEagle flight : “Today, the terrain is still very difficult, and we had to come back, hoping to win, while giving it a race that was not too hard specifies the tenfold Golden Crop. His goal is the Japan Cup (Gr.I, November 24) in a few weeks in Tokyo. So he has to be able to come back from this race with a boost, which he will most likely do, so we are delighted to see him win pleasantly today.” In the presence of co-owners, John Stewart and Philip Von Ullmann, winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard explains: “He had a lot going against him, as he had a penalty and needed to run, as he is a massive horse. Additionally, the track (heavy with a penetrometer at 4.7), it’s not really his thing either but Christophe (Soumillon) starting to get to know him really well. He put it together very well, he gave him a chance when the horse wanted to gallop in the false straight. This race was a preparation but it’s even better when you win and now we’re focusing on the next one..” The next one is the Japan Cup, which will constitute the most serious test of the career of Goliath who should cross swords with the Irish champion Auguste Rodin (trained by Aidan O’Brien) and other Group I horses, notably Japanese. We also talked about testing for Goliath in the King George of July 27, it is clear that he succeeded with flying colours, affording himself the luxury of beating clearly (Editor’s note: 2 1/4 lengths), Bluestockingthe future winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe…
Hamish, an excellent witness
Even if a “preparatory” race is not an objective in itself, even if it was a group II, it is always very important to know who we beat… Coming second, Hamish is an excellent indicator of the value realized by Goliath. At best in deep terrain, the British is a client in such conditions as confirmed by Maureen Haggas, wife and assistant of William Haggas, his developer: “Hamish was very good today, he fell to a stronger one, the winner being an excellent horse but ours has a very good level on difficult ground as was the case today. This year, on soft ground, he finished 2nd in the Coronation Cup (Editor’s note: a group I won by Luxembourg).” Third, Marquisate is in its place: “His performance is very positive after such a long absence, he needed to rest after the Chantilly Grand Prix (Editor’s note: 2e of Junko early June)” confides Louise Bénard, representative of the Godolphin stable in France. Hong Kong or Germany are options for him.”
