Mostly Blue Skies At the Vase Draw For Team Europe

[Wandering Eyes]

The connections of the half-dozen European raiders among a field of 11 for Sunday's HK$26-million Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) will have been mostly pleased with the outcome of the barrier draw, which was held in the state-of-the-art parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse Thursday morning.

Resolute Racing and Baron Philip Von Ullman's Goliath (Adlerflug) makes a second trip across to Hong Kong in the space of eight months, having finished a disappointing ninth to Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) at a fairly short price in the G1 FWD QE II Cup over the 2000 metres in April. Though he did best 2024 Vase runner-up Dubai Honour (Pride of Dubai) in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden Sept. 7, the bay never seriously factored when down the field in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 1.

Trainer Francis Graffard is hopeful of a rebound from Goliath, which would cap an already monumental season for the yard.

“He's really well now and while he has had far from a perfect season, he could finish off in style,” Graffard said of the 5-year-old, who will depart gate four on the weekend. “He is in terrific form and this week you are seeing the Goliath that we all love to see. He is a happy horse who is moving very well and I'm delighted with him.”

Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) had 2 1/2 lengths on Dubai Honour in last year's Vase after quickening home brilliantly, and his 2025 preparation has always had this title defence as its terminus. The 6-year-old arrives back off a cracking fourth in unsuitably soft ground in the Oct. 5 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Andrea Atzeni at the controls, and the Italian–who has 109 career Hong Kong wins to his credit–will be back aboard from barrier six.

“In his early days, I remember hitting the front on him at York and he hung left; he was very immature,” Atzeni said. “In Europe, he never won by very far, so I was actually very surprised to see him pull that far clear here last year.

“He's just a different horse; he's mature mentally and over a mile and a half (2400m) with a good pace, he's got quicker with age and now shows much more speed.”

The legendary Andre Fabre is already a three-time winner of the Vase, including Wertheimer et Frere's Junko (Intello) in 2023, and the same owners' Sosie (Sea The Stars) can add to the total. The homebred 4-year-old was the popular winner of this year's G1 Prix d'Ispahan and was runner-up in the G2 Prix Foy on Arc Trials day Sept. 7 ahead of a sound third in the main event, one spot better than 2024. The bay will be ridden by dual Vase winner Maxime Guyon from the eight hole.

Aidan O'Brien has also unsaddled the winner of the Vase on three occasions and will rely on 2024 G1 Irish Derby hero Los Angeles (Camelot) to build upon previous scores by Highland Reel (Galileo, twice) and Mogul (Galileo). A tough-as-nails winner of this year's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup over an extended 10 furlongs, the bay–who is off to join the Coolmore NH stallion roster next season–has Ryan Moore from gate 10, but has plenty of time to slot in from there, though he must improve on his last-of-17 result in the Arc.

Joseph O'Brien will try to outdo his dad when sending out G1 Irish St Leger romper Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) at the weekend. The 5-year-old was set a tall task with 130 pounds on his back in the G1 Melbourne Cup last time and ran home nicely from a mile back to be seventh. He should be more prominent from a low draw in two with Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle looking to add more international plaudits to his CV.

Oisin Murphy gave Giavellotto an A-plus steer here 12 months ago, but finds himself partnered with Prince A A Faisal's Eydon (Olden Times) for this return to Group 1 company. A big fourth at rough odds in the 2022 G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, the bay is a dual winner this term, including the G2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club going this distance at the San Siro Oct. 19. Eydon jumps from gate nine on Sunday.

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