La Coupe - Goliath

La Coupe

4YO+ Group 3 - 2,000m - €40,000 - Souple 3,7

2:08.62 -  Finishing Speed 115.75%

In the last 10-years, only Danceteria (2019) ran a slower winning time.

A steadily run race that the winner was able to dictate. Christophe Soumillon was able to control the pace with Goliath after opening furlongs of 15.94 and 13.40s. Managed to keep him settled as far as the 800m pole before injecting pace, 12.01, 11.40 and 10.72s furlongs settled the race before keeping on with 11.19s for the final furlong (ranked 2nd). For a brief moment, the runner-up got to his quarters at the 2-furlong pole, but once asked for more effort, under a hands only drive, he lengthened away from her, taking just 21 strides in the final furlong (race low figure). Far too classy for this field and a great spot by his trainer to get him back on track. Ran around 10 lbs below his Ascot form to win this.

Grand Stars (2nd) continues to run well at this level without winning. Well placed behind the leader and briefly able to threaten, she was quickly left behind when the winner kicked again with 400m to run. To her credit, she was faster than Goliath over the final 3-furlongs (33.24s) but a dash for home on Good to Soft ground wasn’t going to play to her strengths. She’s a Sea the Stars Filly out of a Camelot mare and looks in need of 12-furlongs now.

Augustus (3rd). Finished 3rd in the German Derby last season. Took a step forward from his seasonal return at Cologne (finished 4th) and arguably better suited by this track. Well positioned behind the leader by Cristian Demuro, he saw out his race well, but he was the only horse that didn’t drop below 11s for the penultimate furlong and a finishing speed of 115% left him vulnerable. Further races to be won with him, but over 12-furlongs surely? Rewarded the decision to supplement him for this race with €12,000 earned.

Iresine (4th). Won his comeback at Lyon (3rd time he has won that race) and probably ran to form to finish 4th here having been further back than ideal. The ground was probably as fast as he would want it to be and giving 6-lengths to Goliath behind such a sedate early pace was always going to make this a difficult task. Kept on without threatening. Still capable at this level, especially on softer ground in the autumn. Won this race in 2021 which shows his longevity.

Casapueblo (5th) hasn’t won since his 2-year-old season, 0-9 since. Slight improvement on his handicap run last time at Paris Longchamp and to his credit, he did stay with them in the closing stages, but the balance of his form suggests that he is slightly below the level required here.

Wakaburn (6th) Worth a try at this level after winning in Listed company over course and distance in April (Prix Jacques Laffitte). Given very little chance being held up in rear in a race run at this pace. Only Grand Stars was faster than him over the final 3-furlongs (33.30s) and under the circumstances, ran better than the form might suggest. He was tried over further (up to 3,000m) earlier in his career, but this trip seems more suitable. A rating of 45.5-kilos is fair and there should be more Listed success to be had with him, but he seems unlikely to step up much further than that.

Saint Etienne (7th). Stepped out of handicap company after winning the Quinte on French Guineas day over this course and distance. Traveled to a point, but left behind. He has won 4 of his 22 starts and is a nice type, but a handicapper trying his hand in Group company and found out accordingly.