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Goliath provided the perfect steppingstone to his Japanese adventure with a commanding performance in the Prix du Conseil de Paris at ParisLongchamp, seeing off British raider Hamish by a half-length under a confident Christophe Soumillon.
Making his first start since carrying the colours of new part-owner John Stewart, who acquired a significant share from Philip Baron von Ullmann following his King George heroics, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained 4YO settled nicely in third behind Maniatic and Hamish.
The gelding's previous outing saw him claim a spectacular King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory at Ascot, where he mastered subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking and Preis von Europa victor Rebel's Romance.
Previous winners of this prestigious Gr.2 contest include Waldgeist, who went on to land the 2019 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Highland Reel, who claimed multiple Group One successes including the 2016 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Soumillon, who has built a formidable partnership with the progressive gelding, appeared in complete control throughout the one-mile-three-furlong contest. Despite a spirited challenge from the William Haggas-trained Hamish in the closing stages, Goliath asserted his superiority with minimal urgency.
"I couldn't be happier with Goliath. The horse needed the race and it's all part of his preparation for his tilt at the Japan Cup," Graffard told the PA news agency.
"I'm very happy, it was a good run and a good ride from Christophe and the horse will come on a lot."
The Japan Cup, carrying a purse of US$6 million, has been the autumn target for Goliath since his connections opted to bypass a return to Ascot for the Champion Stakes. A minor setback forced him to miss an intended clash with Rebel's Romance in Germany, but this commanding performance suggests he is back on track for his Far East expedition.