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| Staff Writer |
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Auguste Rodin, already a six-time Group One winner, is showing all the right signs ahead of his career finale in Sunday's Gr.1 Japan Cup at Tokyo, where he stretched out in a seven-furlong grass gallop on Wednesday morning.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, who landed both the Derby at Epsom and Irish Derby at the Curragh, has pleased connections as he prepares to race in the homeland of his illustrious sire Deep Impact.
Previous winners of this prestigious race include Almond Eye (2018), who went on to land five more Group One races, and Gentildonna (2012, 2013), the only mare to win back-to-back renewals.
French challenger Goliath, trained by Francis Graffard, also caught the eye during his preparations. The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes victor, who had Auguste Rodin well behind when triumphing at Ascot, worked under regular pilot Christophe Soumillon.
O'Brien, who arrived to oversee final preparations, said: "He did a lovely seven furlongs on the grass this morning, just to show him the track, and he looked comfortable. Rachel (Richardson, rider) was happy with him, Patrick (Keating), who takes care of him, said he came back to the barn in good condition, and we're all pleased with how he is."
The Ballydoyle maestro added: "He's a horse that has speed and class, has long strides and big actions and is great at the mile-and-a-half distance, so I think the course here at Tokyo and the Japan Cup will suit him."
Graffard expressed similar optimism about Goliath's chances: "The horse is in good form and we are very satisfied with how he ran on the turf course this morning. This year after winning the King George, we concentrated on preparing him for the Japan Cup. I think he's the best horse I've brought here so far and have been very much looking forward to coming to Japan."
Soumillon, seeking his first Japan Cup victory, added: "The horse looks stronger than he did back home. This morning, Le Nomade led and they ran smoothly in a good pace. The turf condition is not bad and since he does well on softer ground, I'm hoping that it stays the same up to Sunday. You need a good horse with speed and the stamina to sustain that speed to win the Japan Cup. We are here with Goliath because we have the confidence that he will perform well."