‘Amazing' Goliath ready to rumble ahead of QE II Cup battle
Francis-Henri Graffard believes his 'amazing' Goliath can gain some revenge against Japanese opposition in a Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) loaded with internationals at Sha Tin on Sunday.
French trainer Graffard enjoyed a stellar 2024 with Goliath, who produced a scintillating performance to beat subsequent Group One Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) winner Bluestocking and Group One Breeders' Cup Turf (2,400m) victor Rebel's Romance in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (2,400m) last July.
He backed that up with a win in the Group Two Prix du Conseil de Paris (2,200m) before being left frustrated by an extremely slow pace in the Group One Japan Cup (2,400m), where he wasn't able to land a blow.
Graffard arrived in Hong Kong just hours before Goliath's Friday morning work and was very pleased by what he saw.
'He looked great – a bit light,' said Graffard. 'He lost a bit of weight during transport but he's back on his feed now. He looked well under the saddle on the track, my team here are very happy with him, so I'm pleased.
Wow! Goliath produces a superb performance to land the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at @Ascot for @CSoumillon and @GraffardRacing... pic.twitter.com/QQxDcNl7zk — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2024
'We questioned ourselves about coming here in December after Japan, but it was his first long journey and we knew we had a strong season to look forward to this year. We didn't want to upset him too much so we decided to build the season by starting here in April.
'The idea was to go to Japan last time and get a good pace, but we were stuck on the rail and it went against my horse on the day. He still managed to run decently so we weren't too disappointed – it was always the plan to drop him in distance to start the season.'
The question of whether the 2,000m distance will be enough for the long-striding Goliath has been much debated, but Graffard is confident lightening will not strike twice and he will get the pace he needs to pounce.
Plenty of that belief is due to jockey Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon, who has partnered Goliath in his last three runs.
That can be no surprise, as Soumillon has been sensational across the globe – winning 121 races in Hong Kong, including the Group One Hong Kong Mile on two occasions.
'He should get a pace – and when he gets a pace he's a very impressive horse,' said Graffard. 'When things go his way, like everyone saw in the King George, he's an amazing horse.
'Christophe knows the horse well, he nearly went forward to lead in the Japan Cup but he didn't have the chance. Anything is possible with him, he's not a difficult ride but he's tricky.
'It's a long season so I don't want him to be too strong in front – I would much prefer to see him finish well.'
This year's QE II Cup is a truly international affair, with six of the 11-strong field coming from France, Japan, Bahrain and New Zealand.
Last year's second Prognosis, Tastiera and Liberty Island make up a strong Japanese contingent and although aware of the task, Graffard believes his horse has what it takes to gain a small bit of revenge after his frustrating Japan Cup run.
'Everywhere we go in the world now, it seems the main opposition is Japanese horses,' said Graffard. 'They have unbelievable breeds and fantastic racehorses.
'We'll see how it goes, but I have a lot of belief in my horse. When he's at his best and everything goes his way, he's a very good horse.'
Goliath has gained a fan club for his fascinating stringhalt gait, a neurological condition that sees him exaggerate his action on his hind legs.
The condition is clearly no hindrance, though it has given the trainer some heart-stopping moments.
'I remember at Royal Ascot in the paddock he was doing it with both legs and I was like 'oh my God',' said Graffard. 'When he canters and accelerates, he's impressive.
'The mechanics are good, it's just at his walk. Sometimes he does it and sometimes he doesn't – it's why he's such a personality.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
5 days ago
- RTHK
Montemurro named new Australia women's football coach
Montemurro named new Australia women's football coach Montemurro's appointment ends a 10-month search for the Matildas. File photo: AFP Joe Montemurro has been appointed as head coach of the Australia women's team, returning home after a successful decade in Europe with Arsenal, Juventus and Lyon. The 55-year-old, who steered French powerhouses Lyon to their fourth consecutive women's league title last month, said it was "the honour of a lifetime". "This team means so much to so many Australians, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter," he said. "I've followed their incredible journey closely and am energised by the passion, resilience, and identity they've built." The Matildas captivated the nation and won legions of new fans with their run to the last four of the World Cup on home soil in 2023. But an underwhelming Paris Olympics last year saw Tony Gustavsson depart and they have been without a permanent head coach since. Tom Sermanni, a 70-year-old Scot, has been in temporary charge during a protracted recruitment process, with the side sliding to 16th in the world. "Joe brings world-class experience, a deep understanding of the Australian football landscape, and a genuine connection to our national identity," said Football Australia interim chief Heather Garriock. "Importantly, he has spent the last decade coaching at the very highest levels of the women's game in Europe and brings with him an unparalleled understanding of what is required to compete and succeed at the top of modern football," she added. Montemurro, who won trophies with women's teams at Lyon, Juventus, Arsenal and Melbourne City, will lead the Matildas to the Asian Cup on home soil next year, then through qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup. (AFP)
RTHK
5 days ago
- RTHK
Macron condemns violence during football celebrations
Macron condemns violence during football celebrations French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the triumphant team to the Elysee palace. Photo: Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron condemned "unacceptable" violence during celebrations following Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League final victory, as he welcomed the triumphant team to the Elysee palace. "Nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours, the violent clashes are unacceptable," Macron said. "We will pursue, we will punish, we will be relentless," he added before congratulating the players on their win. Two people died and police made nearly 600 arrests across France overnight as fans celebrated PSG's 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan in Munich on Saturday. "The violent clashes that took place are unacceptable and have come at a heavy cost: two people are dead, around 30 police officers and several firefighters have been injured," Macron said. "My thoughts are also with the police officer in Coutances who is currently in a coma," he added, referring to the town in western France where a police officer was struck in the eye by a firework. Macron hosted PSG coach Luis Enrique and his team after their victory parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue, thanking the players for their quick condemnation of the violence. "These isolated acts are contrary to the club's values and in no way represent the vast majority of our supporters, whose exemplary behaviour throughout the season deserves to be commended," the club said Sunday. Macron also congratulated the team for their "sublime" victory over Inter Milan. "You are the champions and you have put Paris at the top of Europe," he said. "There were 11 of you on the field, but there was clearly a twelfth man -- the entire French public, regardless of traditional allegiances," Macron said, in a reference to his own loyalty to PSG's rival club Olympique de Marseille. It was the first time PSG has won the biggest prize in European club football. (AFP)
RTHK
6 days ago
- RTHK
PSG thrash Inter Milan for first-ever Champions League
PSG thrash Inter Milan for first-ever Champions League Luis Enrique's brilliant young side outclassed the Italians with an astonishing 5-0 victory. Photo: AFP Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for the first time in their history as Luis Enrique's brilliant young side outclassed Inter Milan on Saturday in the most one-sided final ever and teenager Desire Doue scored twice in an astonishing 5-0 victory. Achraf Hakimi, playing against his former club, gave PSG an early lead and Doue went from provider to finisher as his deflected shot doubled their advantage in the 20th minute. Doue scored again just after the hour mark, ending any doubt about the outcome before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran away to get the fourth and substitute Senny Mayulu made it five. Inter were simply no match for the French club, who recorded the biggest victory by any team in the final in the 70-year history of the European Cup and Champions League. "This means everything. It's my dream, it's our dream. It's incredible. The result is not by magic. I'm happy we did it like this, we're now going to celebrate," said Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, who was one of PSG's creative sparks. The triumph for the Parisians comes after more than a decade of huge investment from their Qatari owners, and five years after they lost to Bayern Munich in their only previous final appearance. Already French league and cup double winners, they are remarkably just the second ever French winners of European football's biggest prize -- Marseille were the first in 1993, when they beat AC Milan in a final also played in Munich. It is also a second Champions League for PSG coach Luis Enrique, who won with Lionel Messi's Barcelona a decade ago. This youthful PSG side is the best the competition has seen since, one that has been intelligently pieced together over the last two years and fully unleashed this season following the departure of Kylian Mbappe. Indeed the star on the night was teenager Doue, who delivered a masterclass just before he turns 20 on Tuesday. For Inter, there was to be no first Champions League title since 2010 as they failed to add to their three previous triumphs in the competition. Simone Inzaghi's side have now got to the final twice in three seasons and lost both, and this defeat comes a week after they missed out on the Serie A title to Napoli. They end the campaign trophyless, and their ageing side will need to be rebuilt. PSG gave their opponents no chance from the off on a sweaty night at the Allianz Arena, and they were ahead in the 12th minute. It was a glorious goal, Vitinha threading a pass to Doue who squared for Hakimi to finish into an empty net, before refusing to celebrate against his former club. It was also the earliest goal in a Champions League final since 2019, and recent history was already firmly against Inter. The last final in which both teams scored was in 2018, while the last team to concede the first goal but still win were Real Madrid in 2014. But soon Inter were further behind with a goal that came on a counterattack. Willian Pacho prevented Inter from winning a corner, his clearance falling to Kvaratskhelia, who released Ousmane Dembele. His pass found Doue, and the youngster who was preferred in the starting line-up to Bradley Barcola fired past Yann Sommer, via a deflection off Federico Dimarco. Inter only really came close to scoring in the first half when Marcus Thuram headed just wide at a corner, but things got worse after the break. The night for Inzaghi's side was summed up by defender Yann Bisseck, who came on for Benjamin Pavard early in the second half but limped off less than 10 minutes later. Their back line was at sixes and sevens as PSG made it 3-0 on 63 minutes, Dembele's flick releasing Vitinha before the little Portuguese playmaker set up Doue to beat Sommer at his near post. Doue came off shortly after to rapturous applause, but his teammates were far from done. Dembele sent Kvaratskhelia away to to make it 4-0 in the 73rd minute, and the 19-year-old Mayulu then played a one-two with Barcola before lashing in the fifth on 86 minutes. That rounded off an incredible night, with PSG becoming the first team to score five goals in the final since Benfica in 1962. (AFP)
